Bangkok--Dec 14--THAI
On 13 December 1998 -- at 15.00 hours, Bangkok International Airport, Domestic Terminal - Mr.Thamnoon Wanglee, President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, arrived at Bangkok International Airport from Surat Thani and announced at the press conference that:
"Following the accident involving THAI's flight TG261 which departed from Bangkok Airport at 17.40 hours and was scheduled to arrive at Surat Thani Airport at 18.55 hours on the evening of Friday, December 11. His Excellency Suthep Thaugsuban, Transport and Communications Minister, myself and the team of senior executives of the airline left Bangkok on a special flight at 21.30 hours immediately after having been informed of the accident. Due to the bad weather conditions in Surat Thani, our flight could not land at the airport and the flight was diverted to Phuket. The group was then transported to Surat Thani by cars and we arrived in Surat Thani at 3 o'clock in the morning. We were briefed about what had happened and what has been done in searching for the injured and those who have lost their lives. We then went to the crash site but again due to the heavy rain which caused the level of water to rise even higher and poor visibility, our group could not reach the site. The electric vehicles which were brought in to illuminate the area also could not be moved into the crash site. Our group then went to Surat Thani Hospital, Tak Sin Hospital and Srivichai Hospital to visit and comfort the injured passengers and their relatives. After that, the group was stationed at the Emergency Center which has been set up at Surat Thani Airport until returning to Bangkok today.
On behalf of the Management and staff of Thai Airways International, I would like to express my deepest and sincerest condolences to the relatives of those who have lost their lives in this tragic accident. And to the relatives of the Captain and the cabin crew, I understand that there are no words to convey the sorrow and sadness that this has caused. I would also like to extend my condolences to those who are being hospitalized. I would like to assure the relatives of the victims and the injured that all the Management and staff of Thai Airways International will do everything possible to accommodate and assist the relatives of those who were on flight TG261. I would like to thank the governor, police, military forces, doctors, medical teams, rescue foundations and all the units in Surat Thani and Bangkok who have given us continuous assistance and help since the night of the accident until now, despite the many difficulties including weather and accessibility. From December 12th, THAI organized special flights to bring the relatives to Surat Thani. Traveling with the relatives were a team of THAI staff who assisted and took care of those on board in every possible way.
As for the investigation into the accident of flight TG261, the Transport and Communications Ministry has appointed a special commitee to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident. This special committee is chaired by the Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Thai Air Force, and included as one of the committee members is the Director-General of the Department of Aviation. This Committee is now working at the crash site.
From December 12th, there have been 26 bodies brought into Bangkok from Surat Thani. The bodies of Dr.Thawat Wichaidit and his wife are now at Wat Makutkasatiyaram for religious ceremonies. The bodies of the other victims are now at Wat Prasrimahatat and Wat Thamjariya, Wang Noi in Ayutthaya.
For those who need more information about the accident, THAI has set up its TG261 Emergency Information Center at the VIP Lounge, Bangkok International Airport, Domestic Terminal. Our staff are on duty 24 hours. The numbers of the center are 535-3003, 535-6996-7, 535-6981-6. The latest information is that, the number of survivors has been confirmed at 45 who are being treated at Surat Thani Hospital. Out of the 45, we have 33 Thai nationals, 3 Germans, 1 British, 3 Australians, 3 Japanese, and 2 Isrealis." End.