Thai protesters ordered to leave

Thai police have ordered protesters occupying Bangkok's Don Mueang airport, to leave, as tensions mount over the continuing demonstrations.

At the international airport, also paralysed by protests, hundreds of riot police have moved into place.

The moves follow news of the demotion of the country's chief of police.

The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) say they will not leave until PM Somchai Wongsawat resigns, which he has refused to do.

No official reason was given for Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwanbut's 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.

He said the prime minister had appointed Maj Gen Prateep Tanprasert as acting police chief.


We are ready to defend ourselves against any government's operations
Parnthep Wongpuapan, PAD

Gen Patcharawat has been moved to an "inactive post" in the prime minister's office, said officials.

Meanwhile, 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.

Earlier this week, Gen Anupong urged Mr Somchai to call a snap election as a way of easing the crisis.

Tensions mount

A state of emergency has been declared at both Suvarnabhumi international airport and the smaller Don Mueang airport, which the PAD have taken over.

Thousands of passengers are stranded in Bangkok, including hundreds of Thai Muslims trying to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage.

Police have not yet moved to break up the protests but have said they are 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 would "carry out appropriate and necessary measures to solve the situation".

"All of those who violate the law will be prosecuted both in criminal and civil cases," he said.

More than 100 police in riot gear have moved into place on the perimeter of Suvarnabhumi airport and correspondents say trucks delivering supplies to the protesters have been prevented from entering the area.

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".

Police told the BBC's correspondent at the airport, Jonathan Head, that they were guarding the airport hotel and were not moving into the terminal.

They are clearly nervous about undertaking an operation on such a large building and are concerned they may be blamed for any casualties, says our correspondent.

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.

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.

Turmoil

Thai PM Somchai Wongsawat chairs a cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand (28/11/08)
Mr Somchai will remain in Chiang Mai indefinitely for his own safety
Thailand 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.

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.

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.