This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7754381.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Thai PM removes chief of police | |
| (40 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. |
| Police have now ordered protesters to quit the smaller Don Mueang airport, reports say, while riot police are in place at the international airport. | Police have now ordered protesters to quit the smaller Don Mueang airport, reports say, while riot police are in place at the international airport. |
| 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 earlier they were prepared to take "other steps" if negotiations failed. | Police have not yet moved to break up the protests but have said earlier they were prepared to take "other steps" if negotiations failed. |
| An officer at Don Mueang used a megaphone to tell protesters they had to leave the rally site, reported AFP news agency, otherwise "law enforcement officers will carry out appropriate and necessary measures to solve the situation". | |
| "All of those who violate law will be prosecuted both in criminal and civil cases," he said. | |
| Coup fears | |
| Police chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwanbut has been moved to an "inactive post" in the prime minister's office, said officials. | |
| We are ready to defend ourselves against any government's operations Parnthep Wongpuapan, PAD spokesman | |
| No official reason was given for his demotion, but government spokesman Nattawut Saikuar suggested to Thai TV that it was in connection with the protest crisis. | No official reason was given for his demotion, but government spokesman Nattawut Saikuar suggested to Thai TV that it 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. | "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. | He said the prime minister had appointed Maj Gen Prateep Tanprasert as acting police chief. |
| The government has said that Mr Somchai will remain in the northern city of Chiang Mai indefinitely for his own safety. | The government has said that Mr Somchai will remain in the northern city of Chiang Mai indefinitely for his own safety. |
| The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Bangkok says that Mr Somchai has already lost the confidence of his army chief, Gen Anupong Paochinda, and rumours of a coup are circling in the capital. | The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Bangkok says that Mr Somchai has already lost the confidence of his army chief, Gen Anupong Paochinda, and rumours of a coup are circling in the capital. |
| Earlier this week, Gen Anupong urged Mr Somchai to call a snap election as a way of easing the crisis. | Earlier this week, Gen Anupong urged Mr Somchai to call a snap election as a way of easing the crisis. |
| TV 'shooting' | TV 'shooting' |
| The anti-government People's League for Democracy (PAD) have taken over both Suvarnabhumi international airport and the smaller Don Mueang airport. A state of emergency has been declared at both sites. | The anti-government People's League for Democracy (PAD) have taken over both Suvarnabhumi international airport and the smaller Don Mueang airport. A state of emergency has been declared at both sites. |
| Thousands of passengers are stranded in Bangkok, including hundreds of Thai Muslims trying to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage. | Thousands of passengers are stranded in Bangkok, including hundreds of Thai Muslims trying to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage. |
| Advertisement | Advertisement |
| Thai TV anchor flees gunfire | Thai TV anchor flees gunfire |
| Negotiations are continuing to end the demonstrations but officials have said they will take "other steps" if they fail to make progress. | Negotiations are continuing to end the demonstrations but officials have said they will take "other steps" if they fail to make progress. |
| More than 100 police in riot gear have moved into place on the perimeter of Suvarnabhumi airport. | More than 100 police in riot gear have moved into place on the perimeter of Suvarnabhumi airport. |
| Government spokesman Nattawut Sai-Kau said police had been instructed to "do whatever is necessary to open the airports on the basis of non-violence". | Government spokesman Nattawut Sai-Kau said police had been instructed to "do whatever is necessary to open the airports on the basis of non-violence". |
| HAVE YOUR SAYIt will end in the usual way. The army will take control, an interim government will be appointedColin Thompson, UKSend us your comments | |
| But the protesters have remained defiant, with one leader, Somsak Kosaisuk at Don Mueang, saying they were prepared to "fight to the death". | But the protesters have remained defiant, with one leader, Somsak Kosaisuk at Don Mueang, saying they were prepared to "fight to the death". |
| "We are ready to defend ourselves against any government's operations to get us out of those places," said another PAD spokesman, Parnthep Wongpuapan. | "We are ready to defend ourselves against any government's operations to get us out of those places," said another PAD spokesman, Parnthep Wongpuapan. |
| Meanwhile, in what is being seen as a sign of the growing tensions in the country, Thai TV has shown footage of a television presenter apparently coming under fire while on air. | Meanwhile, in what is being seen as a sign of the growing tensions in the country, Thai TV has shown footage of a television presenter apparently coming under fire while on air. |
| The ASTV station, which broadcasts on behalf of the PAD, said the presenter sustained light injuries during the attack. | The ASTV station, which broadcasts on behalf of the PAD, said the presenter sustained light injuries during the attack. |
| Turmoil | Turmoil |
| Mr Somchai will remain in Chiang Mai indefinitely for his own safetyThailand has been in political turmoil since former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup in 2006. | Mr Somchai will remain in Chiang Mai indefinitely for his own safetyThailand has been in political turmoil since former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup in 2006. |
| The PAD - a loose alliance of royalists, businessmen and the urban middle class - claim that the government is corrupt and hostile to the monarchy. | The PAD - a loose alliance of royalists, businessmen and the urban middle class - claim that the government is corrupt and hostile to the monarchy. |
| They have occupied a government complex in Bangkok for months, and declared at the beginning of this week that they were embarking on the "final battle" of their campaign to unseat the government. | They have occupied a government complex in Bangkok for months, and declared at the beginning of this week that they were embarking on the "final battle" of their campaign to unseat the government. |
| Correspondents say the airport protesters appear increasingly isolated and are losing the support of their traditional sympathisers, the business elite. | Correspondents say the airport protesters appear increasingly isolated and are losing the support of their traditional sympathisers, the business elite. |
| The airport closure will cost the country around $4bn (£2.6bn) in lost business and cause serious damage to its reputation as a tourist destination, something which will take the country years to recover from, say analysts. | The airport closure will cost the country around $4bn (£2.6bn) in lost business and cause serious damage to its reputation as a tourist destination, something which will take the country years to recover from, say analysts. |
| Are you in Bangkok? Have you been caught up in events? Are you trying to fly in or out of the area? Send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in Bangkok? Have you been caught up in events? Are you trying to fly in or out of the area? Send us your comments using the form below: |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |