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After yesterday's travel warning issued by the HKSARG on Bangkok, the Immigration Department received 179 enquiries and 19 requests for assistance from 6pm yesterday to 4pm today (April 14). All 19 requests for assistance, which were by people seeking help to bring forward their return home by today, have been resolved.
"The situation in Bangkok is still not clear and our travel warning on Bangkok is still in force. We will continue to closely monitor developments there and issue updated information as and when required," a government spokesman said.
Noting that Bangkok airport is still operating normally, the spokesman said a total of 42 flights will depart for Hong Kong from the airport today and tomorrow, with a combined capacity of more than 10,000 seats.
For today, there will be 23 flights departing for Hong Kong from the airport, carrying about 6,000 passengers. Upon the request of the Government, Cathay Pacific Airways will upgrade its Bangkok-Hong Kong flight CX702 to a bigger aircraft to provide about 50 additional seats to meet the demand from Hong Kong residents who want to return home early. The flight will take off at 6.40pm today (Thailand time) with seats reserved for the 19 Hong Kong travellers assisted by the Immigration Department.
There are still hundreds of seats available on the 19 flights that will leave Bangkok for Hong Kong tomorrow (April 15). Hong Kong residents now in Bangkok can contact their airlines if they want to return home early.
"Residents who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852)1868," he said.
Ends/Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:55
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