BEIJING, Dec. 1(Xinhua)-- China had brought back 2,433 Chinese citizens stranded in Thailand by 8:30 a.m. (0030 GMT) on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

A China Eastern Airbus-300 arrives at the Utapao Airport near Pattaya, about 150 km east of Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Nov. 29, 2008. Chinese aviation authorities were sending 5 planes on Saturday to Thailand to bring home the remaining stranded Chinese tourists after the closure of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

According to a statement on the ministry's website, the government will send two more charter planes to Thailand on Monday, to fetch home the remaining citizens still stuck there. About 600 people from the Chinese mainland were still estimated to be trapped in Thailand.

The statement said the Foreign Ministry will keep coordination with relevant departments such as Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and China's National Tourism Administration, and direct the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok to closely watch the development of the event, so as to assist all the stranded Chinese citizens back safely as soon as possible.

Nearly 100,000 passengers missed flights since People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protestors besieged and shut down Bangkok's two main airports Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang domestic airport last week.

Stranded Chinese tourists safely return to Shanghai from Thailand

BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The first Chinese flight bringing home stranded Chinese tourists after the closure of Thailand's main international airport in Bangkok, arrived at eastern Shanghai before dawn on Sunday.

Aboard the China Eastern MU Flight 548 were 246 of less than 3,000 Chinese tourists believed being trapped in Thailand. The plane which left the Shanghai Pudong International Airport at noon Saturday, returned to the airport at 2:15 on Sunday.Full story

Bangkok's airport paralyzed after protesters' intrusion, big loss expected

BANGKOK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport was paralyzed on Wednesday, with most flights canceled for the day, after protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) expanded their besiege on state agencies to the airport on Tuesday evening in a showdown to topplethe government led by premier Somchai Wongsawat.

The escalated political confrontation is expected to cause more loss to the country's image and tourism industry. Full story

Thai political turmoil deepens amid continuous protests

BANGKOK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of chanting protesters wearing yellow T-shirts and waving national flags have demonstrated on two consecutive days in what they say is an effort to topple the Thai government.

Analysts say it would be no easy job to end the years-long political turmoil that has been marked by accusations and unceasing protests and that the turbulence will cause Thailand's economy additional disturbances. Full story

Source: Xinhua