Anti-government protesters have burst into the control tower at
Thailand's main international airport as part of a demonstration that
forced the cancellation of all of Wednesday's flights.
Officials say the protesters are trying to get information on the flight plans for Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.
Mr.
Somchai had been scheduled to arrive at Suvarnabhumi international
airport from an international summit in South America (Asian Pacific
Economic Conference) Wednesday.
Protest leaders, with the
People's Alliance for Democracy, say the blockade of the airport is
part of a "final push" to topple the prime minister and they will not
enter into any talks until he steps down.
Thai military
officials called an urgent meeting Wednesday with government officials,
academics and business leaders to discuss possible solutions.
The protest has stranded thousands of travelers at the airport.
Earlier,
a small blast injured several protesters at the international airport,
and authorities in Bangkok say unknown assailants threw grenades at
anti-government protesters at a domestic airport Tuesday.
The
airport siege followed a violent clash earlier Tuesday, during which
anti-government protesters chased government supporters on a major
highway in the capital, Bangkok. At least 11 people were wounded
during the street fight, some with gunshot wounds.
The
blockade of Thailand's main airport could damage the country's already
fragile tourism industry. Singapore Wednesday urged its citizens not to
visit Thailand due to the uncertain political situation. And the
United States, Britain and Australia have urged their citizens to take
extra precautions if they planned to make the trip.
Protests in
Thailand intensified on Monday when opposition supporters forced
parliament to delay a session by blocking access to the building.
Protesters
accuse Mr. Somchai of being a proxy for Thaksin Shinawatra, his
brother-in-law, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006 for alleged
corruption.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
