Anti-government protestors take over Bangkok airport

Hundreds of anti-government protestors have overwhelmed police at Thailand’s main international airport.

Management at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok said they had no choice but to suspend services indefinitely after demonstrators stormed the building.

Confrontations with the authorities both at the airport and in the city itself have now turned violent – with at several people being injured.

Observers say the protestors may be trying to prevent the prime minister from the APEC summit in Peru. However polls show waning support for the anti-government campaign. A nationwide strike called for yesterday failed to materialise.

The unrest is affecting Thailand’s lucrative travel industry, with at least 3,000 people now trapped at the airport. Flights are no longer leaving and access routes to and from the airport into the city itself have been blocked by crowds of demonstrators.

Thai television has broadcast pictures of violent confrontations on the main road leading to the capital’s former airport.

There are also reports that grenades have been thrown into the crowd, injuring at least seven people.

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tags: Thailand