240,000 tourists miss their flights

Weerasak is due to appear at Bitec Bangna, the second city terminal which is open today for international flight check-in. He said he would do everything to send news to the world that Thailand is doing it best to send stranded travellers home.

The minister added that he would ask for the special financial package worth Bt10 billion to help small and medium-sized operators in the tourism and related industries which have been hard hit by the shutdown of Bangkok airports.

Weerasak said the proposal would be submitted to the Cabinet at tomorrow's meeting.

He noted that the package is necessary. Even after the protesters stop seizing Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, it would require 24-48 hours for thorough inspection before the airlines could resume operations.

It was estimated that tourist arrivals to Thailand would be cut by half next year from original target of 13.5 million.