Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Flooding shuts airport in Bangkok

Ap
Sunday 30 October 2011 23:47 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Advancing floodwaters yesterday shut down commercial flights at Bangkok's second airport, which also housed the country's flood-relief headquarters.

The closure of Don Muang airport was sure to further erode public confidence in the ability of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's administration to defend the anxious metropolis of nine million people. The airport houses the Government's recently established emergency Flood Relief Operations Centre and one of its terminals has been converted into an overcrowded shelter filled with tents for about 4,000 people who fled their waterlogged homes.

Authorities were yesterday planning to move some of the refugees to another location.

Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, the country's main international gateway, has yet to be affected by flooding and flights there were operating normally.

Don Muang, on Bangkok's northern outskirts, is among seven of the capital's 50 districts the Government has declared at risk from floodwaters which have inundated about a third of the country and killed 366 people.

The Government yesterday declared a public holiday from October 27 to 31 in all affected areas, including Bangkok.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in