PHUKET does not have direct flights from the US or Mexico so checks at Phuket airport for swine flu are being aimed in a precautionary way at arriving passengers who show symptoms of influenza.
One thermal scanner will be used on some arrivals, probably direct flights from Australia and Japan. About 2000 medical facemasks will be ready for patients who show symptoms of flu.
Representatives from all airlines with flights to and from Phuket met today to discuss the issue of prevention and where their passengers may have originated.
Thermal scanners have the capacity to detect unusual body temperature, usually an early symptom of illness. A fatal outbreak of swine flu in the US and Mexico has put governments around the globe on the alert.
Phuket airport is well prepared, general manager Wing Commander Wicha Nurnlop said today, because concern about a pandemic is a fact of life these days. Scanners are also being used at airports in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
The measures to protect against swine flu will be one of Khun Wicha's final duties at Phuket airport. Papers for his transfer to Bangkok arrived today.
''I will be leaving on May 1,'' he said. His new posting is to Bangkok and his replacement is Wing Commander Prathuang Sornkhom from Chiang Rai airport.
Just last week, the Airports of Thailand board flew to Phuket to listen and approve Khun Wicha's five-billion baht plan to double the airport's capacity by 2020.
''It has been a pleasure working on Phuket,'' Wing Commander Wicha said.
He was the Phuketwan Person of the Year 2008 after a dramatic 12 months, with his plan for the airport a highlight.
Khun Wicha led Phuket airport's reaction to the three-day invasion by yellow shirt protesters in August.
Then in November, Phuket became an alternative escape route for tourists trapped in Thailand by the extended blockade of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.
With the Asean Plus Six Summit likely to be awarded to Phuket in June, the island now has had within the past month a new governor, a new police chief, and from May 1, a new airport general manager.
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One thermal scanner will be used on some arrivals, probably direct flights from Australia and Japan. About 2000 medical facemasks will be ready for patients who show symptoms of flu.
Representatives from all airlines with flights to and from Phuket met today to discuss the issue of prevention and where their passengers may have originated.
Thermal scanners have the capacity to detect unusual body temperature, usually an early symptom of illness. A fatal outbreak of swine flu in the US and Mexico has put governments around the globe on the alert.
Phuket airport is well prepared, general manager Wing Commander Wicha Nurnlop said today, because concern about a pandemic is a fact of life these days. Scanners are also being used at airports in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
The measures to protect against swine flu will be one of Khun Wicha's final duties at Phuket airport. Papers for his transfer to Bangkok arrived today.
''I will be leaving on May 1,'' he said. His new posting is to Bangkok and his replacement is Wing Commander Prathuang Sornkhom from Chiang Rai airport.
Just last week, the Airports of Thailand board flew to Phuket to listen and approve Khun Wicha's five-billion baht plan to double the airport's capacity by 2020.
''It has been a pleasure working on Phuket,'' Wing Commander Wicha said.
He was the Phuketwan Person of the Year 2008 after a dramatic 12 months, with his plan for the airport a highlight.
Khun Wicha led Phuket airport's reaction to the three-day invasion by yellow shirt protesters in August.
Then in November, Phuket became an alternative escape route for tourists trapped in Thailand by the extended blockade of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.
With the Asean Plus Six Summit likely to be awarded to Phuket in June, the island now has had within the past month a new governor, a new police chief, and from May 1, a new airport general manager.
Tuesday MediaWATCH: Swine Flu Spreads, But No Panic
Latest The world is urged not to panic or stop flying as health officials react to the threat of swine flu. And the hunt continues for fugitive PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
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Phuketwan Person of the Year 2008 Award
During the three day Phuket airport siege, Phuketwan updated more than 50 times, often to cover the latest information from a key figure whose skills were soon on show again in the Bangkok blockade.
Phuketwan Person of the Year 2008 Award
Airlines Liftoff Gives Phuket Fresh Flying Start
Latest Gloom and despondency should start to lift with the launch of a new air service to Malaysia and the opening of another branded airlines store in Patong.
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Phuket Travel Chiefs Cheer End of Emergency
Latest Facing cancelled flights and a bunch of travel alerts, tourism industry leaders on Phuket have hailed the end of the state of emergency and hope for more good news.
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Latest An increase in air tax to counter global warming has alarmed airlines and tourism industry leaders in Britain. It will probably affect numbers coming to Thailand and Phuket.
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It's danger flu. - -*
Posted by Richard Dear on April 28, 2009 09:59