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| Thai PM dismisses chief of police | Thai PM dismisses chief of police |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has fired the chief of the national police force, officials say. | Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has fired the chief of the national police force, officials say. |
| The news comes amid mounting tensions over the ongoing protests paralysing Bangkok's two airports. | The news comes amid mounting tensions over the ongoing protests paralysing Bangkok's two airports. |
| Anti-government protesters have said they will not leave until Mr Somchai resigns, which he has refused to do. | Anti-government protesters have said they will not leave until Mr Somchai resigns, which he has refused to do. |
| Police have not yet moved to break up the protests but have said they are prepared to take "other steps" if negotiations fail. | Police have not yet moved to break up the protests but have said they are prepared to take "other steps" if negotiations fail. |
| No official reason was given for Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwanbut's dismissal, but government spokesman Nattawut Saikuar suggested to Thai TV that is was in connection with the protest crisis. | |
| "The transfer is because of suitability and in line with the situation. The prime minister considered how he handled the current situation," said Mr Nattawut. | |
| He said the prime minister had appointed Maj Gen Prateep Tanprasert as acting police chief. |