Pro-government protesters gathered in Bangkok to support the prime minister" I've seen some very sensational headlines, mostly on the internet, about fears for Britons trapped in Thailand... it's perfectly safe "
BBC News
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Thailand has been "strongly urged" by the UK government to help the thousands of Britons trapped in the country by the on-going anti-government protests.
Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell said he asked officials to let charter flights land at military airports to help tourists struggling to get home.
But he said the UK would not follow the lead of Spain and Australia and send planes to evacuate its citizens.
Bangkok's two main airports are still occupied by protesters and remain shut.
Mr Rammell told the BBC he had urged the Thai ambassador to take action to help stranded Britons reach airports that are still operating safely.
But he said while using government-chartered flights to bring people home may help the situation, it was not a solution.
"The key issue is the fact the two airports in Bangkok are closed and therefore you've effectively got planes stacking up and not being able to get slots," he said.
Spain's government is sending three planes to evacuate its citizens and Australian airline Qantas is putting on a special flight from the resort island of Phuket, ABC news reported.
Stranded businessman Mick Granger, from Essex, told the BBC Britons were in "no danger".
He said: "I've seen some very sensational headlines, mostly on the internet, about fears for Britons trapped in Thailand... it's perfectly safe."
Mr Granger, who was on a business trip, says he plans to get a train out to the Lao border on Tuesday.
'Retaliation'
Meanwhile, tensions in Bangkok have risen, with fears of clashes between pro- and anti-government groups after a grenade attack on Saturday night.
Around 50 people were injured - three seriously - in the late-night attack on protesters occupying a government compound.
It is widely thought to be retaliation for the airport occupation, said the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
Police have issued fresh orders for protesters to leave the domestic airport Don Mueang, but say they will not use force.
The closures have hit Thailand's tourist industry hard, with the loss of millions of pounds of revenue.
It is thought some 100,000 passengers remain stranded in the Thai capital.
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Thailand has been "strongly urged" by the UK government to help the thousands of Britons trapped in the country by the on-going anti-government protests.
Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell said he asked officials to let charter flights land at military airports to help tourists struggling to get home.
But he said the UK would not follow the lead of Spain and Australia and send planes to evacuate its citizens.
Bangkok's two main airports are still occupied by protesters and remain shut.
Mr Rammell told the BBC he had urged the Thai ambassador to take action to help stranded Britons reach airports that are still operating safely.
But he said while using government-chartered flights to bring people home may help the situation, it was not a solution.
"The key issue is the fact the two airports in Bangkok are closed and therefore you've effectively got planes stacking up and not being able to get slots," he said.
Spain's government is sending three planes to evacuate its citizens and Australian airline Qantas is putting on a special flight from the resort island of Phuket, ABC news reported.
Stranded businessman Mick Granger, from Essex, told the BBC Britons were in "no danger".
He said: "I've seen some very sensational headlines, mostly on the internet, about fears for Britons trapped in Thailand... it's perfectly safe."
Mr Granger, who was on a business trip, says he plans to get a train out to the Lao border on Tuesday.
'Retaliation'
Meanwhile, tensions in Bangkok have risen, with fears of clashes between pro- and anti-government groups after a grenade attack on Saturday night.
Around 50 people were injured - three seriously - in the late-night attack on protesters occupying a government compound.
It is widely thought to be retaliation for the airport occupation, said the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
Police have issued fresh orders for protesters to leave the domestic airport Don Mueang, but say they will not use force.
The closures have hit Thailand's tourist industry hard, with the loss of millions of pounds of revenue.
It is thought some 100,000 passengers remain stranded in the Thai capital.
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