By Jayagandi Jayaraj and Tan Karr Wei

An average of three to four flights were diverted from Bangkok to the KL International Airport (KLIA) on Nov 25 due to civil unrest in the Thai capital.

The Suvarnabhumi International Airport was besieged by anti-government protestors, causing its shutdown and leaving more than 100,000 air passengers stranded.

KLIA general manager Daud Osman said yesterday that flights to Bangkok were diverted to KLIA upon receiving news that the airport was closed.

However, over the next few days the number of diverted flights was less frequent after passengers heading to Bangkok were aware of the situation over there.

"About three to four flights were diverted to our airport during the height of the situation. Some of the diverted flights were from Qatar Airways and KLM.

"After the airport was besieged by protestors, forcing its abrupt closure, the airlines changed their flight schedule and avoided Bangkok," Daud said.

Meanwhile, officials from the Low- Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) confirmed that all flights to Suvarnabhumi International Airport were cancelled.

But AirAsia mounted rescue flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok in aid of their passengers. The third of such flights was sent on Nov 30.

Pan Pacific KLIA general manager Hans Winsnes said his hotel did experience an increase in occupancy, particularly on Nov 25 and 26 due to requests from airlines to house stranded passengers.

"Depending on seat availability, passengers would usually be given an option to fly back to their country of origin or stay for a night or two," said Winsnes.

He said the situation had since eased with more airlines and passengers being aware of the situation in Bangkok.

Marriott Putrajaya public relations manager Lydia Hendroff said some passengers had checked-in at the hotel.

"Delayed passengers are quite usual. Although there were a number of them earlier in the week, we are not sure if the guests were the ones diverted from Thailand," she added.