Thai budget aircraft crashes in Phuket………
Media reports from a number of agencies and in The Sydney Morning Herald confirmed this morning that at least 88 people including many foreign tourists are dead as a result of a Thai budget aircraft crashed, as it tried to land in Phuket yesterday breaking in two and bursting into flames.
Phuket’s Deputy Governor, Vorapot Rajsima, said flight OG269, operated by the Thai budget carrier One-Two-Go had crashed in driving wind and rain about 4:00pm local time and he put the death toll at 88.
Australians were among the dead, he said, along with British, Israeli and Irish travellers, however the Department of Foreign Affairs is reported this morning as unable to confirm that any Australians had died in the crash.
One Australian is being treated in a Thai hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and is being assisted by Australian officials, a DFAT spokesman said, but he was the only confirmed Australian in hospital.
Airports of Thailand officials said eight Britons and seven Thais were among the other survivors.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-82 plane was arriving in Phuket from Bangkok and the director-general of the Air Transport Authority of Thailand, Chiasak Angkauwan, said: “The airplane asked to land but due to the weather in Phuket, strong wind and heavy rain, maybe the pilot did not see the runway clearly.” “The visibility was poor as the pilot tried to land.” “He decided to make a go-around but the plane lost balance and crashed.” “It was torn into two parts.”
A senior airport official in Bangkok told a Thai radio station: “The first part of the plane is dug into the ground.” “The tail section is stuck on the runway.”
Nong Khaonual, a Thai who survived the crash with his wife, said he believed the aircraft had descended too quickly, adding, “The airplane was landing in heavy rain.” “It landed too fast.” “I have never seen anything like this.” “It descended very fast,” he said.
“Just before we touched the runway we felt the plane try to lift up, and it skidded off the runway.” “My wife was half conscious and I dragged her out … There was a man behind us and he was on fire.”
Another survivor, an Irishman who identified himself only as John, said it was clear there was a problem before the plane landed, adding, “You could tell there was a problem.” “The plane was flying around trying to land.” “It was making some noises and it was bad rain,” he told Thailand’s ITV television. “The plane was on fire, but I managed to get through.” “I might have come out on the wing.”
Leslie Quahe, a Singaporean pastor who arrived at the scene about an hour after the crash, said: “The plane looks as though it veered off the runway into the side of a hill.” “I was coming down the hill and saw smoke coming from the plane.” “It had broken into several parts.”
If you are concerned about clients or relatives who may have been on board, you can call a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade hotline on 1300 555 135.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive