British travellers are in "no man's land" after anti-government protesters occupied Bangkok's main international airport, the Foreign Office has said.
British travellers are in "no man's land" after anti-government protesters occupied Bangkok's main international airport, the Foreign Office has said.
A spokesman said some Britons had already passed through immigration controls and were now stranded.
A spokesman said some Britons had already passed through immigration controls and were now stranded.
At least 3,000 passengers are stuck, and the Foreign Office said it had been contacted seven times by UK citizens.
At least 3,000 passengers are stuck, and the Foreign Office said it had been contacted seven times by UK citizens.
All flights have been cancelled and demonstrators say the airport will stay shut until the government resigns.
All flights have been cancelled and demonstrators say the airport will stay shut until the government resigns.
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Briton Rachel Kyte spent 13 hours at the airport before eventually catching a taxi to a hotel in the Thai capital on Wednesday afternoon.
Briton Rachel Kyte spent 13 hours at the airport before eventually catching a taxi to a hotel in the Thai capital on Wednesday afternoon.
She had been awaiting a connection to Washington DC, where she now lives.
She had been awaiting a connection to Washington DC, where she now lives.
There's a lot of angry people, some sick, needing to get home Ian RichardsBritish traveller
The World Bank worker said the lack of information and rumours of unrest had been fuelling the tense atmosphere.
The World Bank worker said the lack of information and rumours of unrest had been fuelling the tense atmosphere.
"We were being kept in the lounge on the ground floor level," she said. "The protestors were on the floor above.
"We were being kept in the lounge on the ground floor level," she said. "The protestors were on the floor above.
"There is the possibility the airport may run out of water and supplies. The people I feel sorry for are the families with babies, and the elderly and disabled travellers.
"There is the possibility the airport may run out of water and supplies. The people I feel sorry for are the families with babies, and the elderly and disabled travellers.
"People were starting to get frustrated and tired. It only takes one person to lose their cool and it can become a crowd mentality."
"People were starting to get frustrated and tired. It only takes one person to lose their cool and it can become a crowd mentality."
Ian Richards, from Basingstoke, said he was being put on a bus to a hotel in Pattaya, a beach resort about 100 miles (165km) south of Bangkok.
The 26-year-old, who is heading to Australia, had been at the airport for seven hours and had passed through immigration.
"Most people are being taken to hotels," he said. "I have no idea what happens after that. No-one seems to know what is happening but it is a lot calmer than it was before."
"There's a lot of angry people, some sick, needing to get home."
Small explosions
Small explosions
Britons who had already passed through immigration are unable to travel back through the Thai airport into Bangkok as their visas are no longer valid.
Britons who had already passed through immigration are unable to travel back through the Thai airport into Bangkok as their visas are no longer valid.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesman said: "Some people were stuck in the no man's land between the immigration and the plane but they are being looked after by airport officials."
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesman said: "Some people were stuck in the no man's land between the immigration and the plane but they are being looked after by airport officials."
The protesters, from the People's Alliance for Democracy, want to topple Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who had been due to arrive at the airport from an overseas trip. However, his flight will be diverted to another airport.
The protesters, from the People's Alliance for Democracy, want to topple Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who had been due to arrive at the airport from an overseas trip. However, his flight will be diverted to another airport.
Incoming flights have been diverted to other Thai airports, including Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Incoming flights have been diverted to other Thai airports, including Chiang Mai and Phuket.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok said the protestors had now taken full control of Suvarnabhumi airport, seizing the control tower and blocking access roads.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok said the protestors had now taken full control of Suvarnabhumi airport, seizing the control tower and blocking access roads.
He said there was utter confusion at the airport, although the yellow-shirted demonstrators had been relaxed in dealing with tourists.
He said there was utter confusion at the airport, although the yellow-shirted demonstrators had been relaxed in dealing with tourists.
He added that a series of small explosions among the protesters early on Wednesday morning had injured several and underlined the risk of more violent clashes with pro-government groups.
He added that a series of small explosions among the protesters early on Wednesday morning had injured several and underlined the risk of more violent clashes with pro-government groups.
The FCO website described the political situation in Thailand as "very uncertain" and advised those heading to Bangkok to check with their airline or tour operator before travelling.
The FCO website described the political situation in Thailand as "very uncertain" and advised those heading to Bangkok to check with their airline or tour operator before travelling.
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:
