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| Thai protesters shut down airport | Thai protesters shut down airport |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Flights from Thailand's international airport have been suspended after hundreds of anti-government protesters stormed the building in Bangkok. | Flights from Thailand's international airport have been suspended after hundreds of anti-government protesters stormed the building in Bangkok. |
| At least 3,000 passengers are said to be stranded at Suvarnabhumi airport. | At least 3,000 passengers are said to be stranded at Suvarnabhumi airport. |
| The airport's director said he had no option but to halt services after demonstrators overwhelmed police lines, and took over the departure lounge. | The airport's director said he had no option but to halt services after demonstrators overwhelmed police lines, and took over the departure lounge. |
| It is the latest move in a campaign by the opposition People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to oust the government. | It is the latest move in a campaign by the opposition People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to oust the government. |
| Airport director Serirat Prasutanon said operations had been "totally shut down" since 0400 (2100GMT Wednesday) and that 78 outbound and incoming flights had been affected. | Airport director Serirat Prasutanon said operations had been "totally shut down" since 0400 (2100GMT Wednesday) and that 78 outbound and incoming flights had been affected. |
| Anyone who wants to overthrow or resist the government is attempting a rebellion Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat In pictures: Bangkok clashesQ&A: Bangkok protests | Anyone who wants to overthrow or resist the government is attempting a rebellion Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat In pictures: Bangkok clashesQ&A: Bangkok protests |
| He told the AFP news agency that passengers were unable to leave because PAD demonstrators had blocked the roads leading to the airport. | He told the AFP news agency that passengers were unable to leave because PAD demonstrators had blocked the roads leading to the airport. |
| The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the protesters may be hoping to prevent Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from returning from the Apec summit in Peru on Wednesday. | The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the protesters may be hoping to prevent Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from returning from the Apec summit in Peru on Wednesday. |
| Mr Somchai told reporters in Lima: "Anyone who wants to overthrow or resist the government is attempting a rebellion." | Mr Somchai told reporters in Lima: "Anyone who wants to overthrow or resist the government is attempting a rebellion." |
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| PAD supporters were seen firing shots - footage courtesy of TPBS | |
| Thinly veiled tactic | Thinly veiled tactic |
| It came as demonstrations in central Bangkok turned violent, leaving at least 11 people injured. | It came as demonstrations in central Bangkok turned violent, leaving at least 11 people injured. |
| Thai TPBS television broadcast pictures of the violence on the main road to the capital's old airport. The footage showed shots being fired from a truck into crowds after rocks were thrown. | Thai TPBS television broadcast pictures of the violence on the main road to the capital's old airport. The footage showed shots being fired from a truck into crowds after rocks were thrown. |
| At least two handguns could be seen and people standing with the gunmen raised up a picture of the revered Thai king, whom the PAD claim to be supporting. | At least two handguns could be seen and people standing with the gunmen raised up a picture of the revered Thai king, whom the PAD claim to be supporting. |
| A man was also seized by pro-government supporters and what appeared to be a large knife was held to his throat. | A man was also seized by pro-government supporters and what appeared to be a large knife was held to his throat. |
| TPBS said its cameraman had been threatened at the scene and that PAD personnel attempted to seize his tape. | TPBS said its cameraman had been threatened at the scene and that PAD personnel attempted to seize his tape. |
| On Monday, PAD protesters converged on Bangkok's old Don Muang international airport, from where the cabinet has been operating since its offices were occupied three months ago. | On Monday, PAD protesters converged on Bangkok's old Don Muang international airport, from where the cabinet has been operating since its offices were occupied three months ago. |
| Organisers say the protest is a "final battle" to bring down the government. | Organisers say the protest is a "final battle" to bring down the government. |
| Our correspondent says the government appears to have followed a strategy of allowing PAD to attack government buildings while avoiding clashes, in the hope that it will wear the protesters down. | Our correspondent says the government appears to have followed a strategy of allowing PAD to attack government buildings while avoiding clashes, in the hope that it will wear the protesters down. |
| The government has so far resisted calling in the army. Analysts says it is a thinly disguised aim of the PAD to provoke such a move. | The government has so far resisted calling in the army. Analysts says it is a thinly disguised aim of the PAD to provoke such a move. |
| Are you in Bangkok? Have you been affected by the protests? Has the airport closure disrupted your travel plans? You can send us your experiences using the form below: | Are you in Bangkok? Have you been affected by the protests? Has the airport closure disrupted your travel plans? You can send us your experiences using the form below: |