Fog hits aircraft visibility
Dense fog is expected to blanket Suvarnabhumi Airport and neighbouring areas again this morning. Poor visibility may force flights to be diverted to other airports similar to yesterday's scenario.
Airport general manager Serirat Prasutanond said yesterday flights would be diverted to Don Mueang, U-tapao and Chiang Mai International airports if necessary. According to Aeronautical Radio of Thailand deputy director Kamthorn Sirikorn, fog forced six flights to be diverted from Suvarnabhumi yesterday morning.
"They were mainly flights from Europe," he said, adding some Thai Airways International and Nok Air flights from Chiang Mai were also affected. However, he said it was normal for fog to cause visibility difficulties and for pilots to prefer to land at their alternate sites. Kamthorn said Suvarnabhumi air-traffic control would liaise with pilots over possible diversions.
"Fuel is a key factor," he added, "If aircraft have sufficient fuel, we put them in a holding pattern. If not, Don Mueang, Utapao and Chiang Mai airports will be used." He said the fog was often a problem at Suvarnabhumi because of its open nature.
Fog affected Chiang Mai yesterday, too, affecting flights to and from there, its airport director, Commander Prateep Vijittho, said.
Meteorological Department director-general Suparerk Tansriratanawong warned motorists in Bangkok and nearby provinces to be extra cautious in the morning.
A weak, high pressure system over the Northeast, the Central plains, including Bangkok, and the east is causing the morning fog. It could continue until tomorrow.
In Chiang Mai, more than 5,000 tourists visited Doi Angkhang farming station as its temperature dropped to 3 degrees Celsius.
Källa: The Nation
