Statement of Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand on Plane Crash in Phuket Sunday 16 September 2007, a passenger aircraft (U.S.-made McDonnell-Douglas 82) operated by Thai budget carrier One-Two-GO, Flight 269, left Bangkok about 14.30 hrs and scheduled to land in Phuket at 16.00 hrs, crashed at the Phuket Airport shortly after landing in heavy wind and strong rain with poor visibility. The plane carried 123 passengers and 7 crew members. 87 of the 130 people on board were dead, 43 survivors were foreigners from Australia, Austria, Britain, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Natherlands and Sweden. The plane skidded off the runway during a landing attempt then crashed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a Rescue Centre to assist relatives of the victims in sending those injured to hospitals and in receiving the bodies. The nearest international airport is Krabi Airport which is one-hour drive. All flights from Phuket International Airport were canceled following the crash and the Phuket Airport was closed, however, the Airport will operate today, 17 September 2007, at 11.00 hrs. The Government of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports by the Tourism Authority of Thailand are providing facilitation for the affected passengers. Dr. Suvit Yodmani, Minister of Tourism and Sports, has visited and conveyed the message of condolence of General Surayud Chulanont, Prime Minister, to the injured and relatives of those who passed away, with commitment that the Government of Thailand will provide utmost effort in rescuing and facilitating the relatives in visiting the injured, sending the passengers back to home countries as well as issuing death documents. Should you need any assistance or have any queries, please contact the following telephone numbers: Bangkok (662) 643 5522, (662) 644 7245 Phuket (6676) 351 390, (6676) 351 517

Oct 19, 2007