01 December 2008

NZ in talks to rescue tourists in Thailand

A Report by NZPA, AAP and Reuters says the NZ Government is in talks with airlines and the Australian government to rescue about 200 New Zealanders stranded in Thailand.

Internal political conflicts in Thailand saw Suvarnabhumi international airport occupied on Tuesday and the smaller Don Muang domestic airport since Wednesday. Thousands of travellers are unable to leave.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said all efforts were being made to help New Zealanders affected by the occupation of Thai airports by demonstrators.

"These are people who, through no fault of their own, have been stranded and stranded for several days and we are doing everything we can to try and assist them to exit," Mr McCully said.

New Zealand's ambassador in Thailand Brook Barrington and embassy officials have approached Thai Airlines and Qantas to see what could be done and the Government has asked Air New Zealand to look at how much a charter would cost, but that was the least preferred option.

"We're essentially exploring every option," Mr McCully said.

"Some progress is being made."

Because Air NZ does not fly to Thailand, the use of a carrier which does might be less problematic.

"We're looking at working with the Australians, we're looking at working with anyone else in the same predicament."

The New Zealanders were not at risk but without intervention it could take weeks to get home. Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaipravat has said it could take a month to clear the backlog.

The Thai government was shuttling tourists to U-Tapao, a Vietnam War-era naval airbase 150km east of Bangkok, as an alternative landing site for airlines, but travellers have complained of massive delays and confusion.

"The levels of frustration are going to rise and we are keen to do everything we can to assist," Mr McCully said.

Australian Transport Minister Anthony Albanese talked yesterday with Qantas chief Alan Joyce about using the military airport or Phuket airport.

The airports have been occupied by People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters and Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has declared a state of emergency at the airports and given police the authority to remove the protesters.

PAD supporters attacked police on Saturday night, forcing them further away from the main international airport and a a grenade blast wounded more than 50 protesters in Bangkok on Sunday.

PAD want to unseat the prime minister it accuses of being a front for former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

A Report by The Mole