Life in Suvarnabhumi

Before the PAD took over eight days ago, it was never difficult to find a taxi to Suvarnabhumi. During the closure, not a single cabbie was willing to take you there.

If one agreed to go to Suvarnabhumi, both the driver and the passenger's stuff was examined by PAD guards before you were allowed to go through at least another three security checkpoints, complete with barbed wire, before you get to the main terminal.

If you wished to enter the terminal building, you would be checked again by one of the guards posted at every entrance.

All airline check-in counters sport hand-written signs saying "sorry for inconvenience" or "temporarily closed", while eateries like Starbucks have suspended their services. The only thing that seems to be working is the digital timetable of departures and arrivals, only there are no flights and no passengers.

The airport turned to heaven to some PAD protesters.

"This is the first time I have visited Suvarnabhumi, and I think I should take photos before I leave," said 38-year-old Suchada Chanyen, who had been living in the terminal building since last Tuesday.

She washed up in one of the many toilets, and laid down her bedding anywhere to catch a nap. If she felt ill, she visited the "Suvarnabhumi Hospital" - PAD's makeshift medical department - and if she felt hungry she opted for the many meals on offer.

If she wanted a break from all the rallying, she sat outside and enjoyed one of the many mini concerts, or like other protesters she could ride her bicycle or just take a joyride on one of the elevators.

The protesters also made merit by offering food to Buddhist monks every morning. In addition, they had access to the Internet and fixed as well as mobile phone lines to keep up-to-date with all the news.

When asked what she thought the PAD being blamed for causing damage to both the airport and the country, Suchada said: "I have my own standpoint and I know what I am doing is good for the country."

Based on a quick survey, toilet floors were dirty and flooded with water and used tissue paper.