Stranded tourists in Thailand battle frustration, boredom

By David Fox

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thousands of tourists stranded in Thailand by political protests that have cut off the capital's airports battled frustration and boredom on Saturday as they scrambled to find a way out of the country.

Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport has been closed since late Tuesday and the mostly domestic Don Muang airport since Thursday by protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who want the government to quit.

The airport closures have paralyzed air traffic to the capital, left thousands of foreigners stranded and crippled the tourism industry during the peak end-of-year season.

"It has been very frustrating," said Ian Fraser, an Australian from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology who was due to return home on Wednesday after a month of lectures in Thailand.

Fraser was one of dozens of people checking into the Ambassador Hotel on Saturday, paid for by Thai Airways, after fending for himself since the airport closed.

"Trying to get information from the airline has been really tough," he said, echoing complaints made by scores of stranded visitors.

"I've been paying my own way since then. It was only today that the embassy told me I should be staying here and that Thai Airways would pay for it."

For Dean Gracial, 19, at the end of a half year back-packing trip around South East Asia before he begins university next year, a paid-for stay at the three-star Twin Towers Hotel was a welcome treat after months of roughing it.

"BRING IT ON"

"Bring it on," he said. "The only problem is that I have completely run out of money so I am stuck in the hotel, but there are far worse places to be. At least I've scrubbed up and my mum might recognize me when I get back."

Authorities have started allowing some airlines to fly in to the U-Tapao military airbase around 150 kms (100 miles) from Bangkok, but as fast as they can get passengers out, others are completing their holidays and showing up in the capital.

"We have moved around 400 today, but another 400 have arrived" said Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) marketing officer Mongkol Nattaro in the lobby of the Twin Towers Hotel.

The TAT has effectively sequestered eight hotels to deal with stranded passengers, but messages on notice boards in the lobby of one highlighted the frustrations of passengers.

"If anyone knows anything about a British Airways solution please call room 8128," said one.

"SOS!" read another. "Any other Lufthansa passengers stuck?"