Thai police retreat as airport protesters tighten grip

Police have been forced to abandon a checkpoint as anti-government demonstrators tighten their siege of Bangkok’s international airport.

Security forces were trying to stop additional people joining the sit-in. But, after a brief confrontation between the two sides, officers retreated.

Commanders say they won’t try to evict protesters by force even though that soft approach may have cost the national police chief his job. But, taking no chances, demonstrators deflated the tyres of emergency service vehicles, leaving several stranded in the middle of the road.

The airport protest is the latest escalation in Thailand’s long-running political crisis. And, after several days of the blockade, the People’s Alliance for Democracy is adamant it won’t back down. It is determined to oust a government it sees as corrupt and anti-royalist.

But one protest leader said he believed the situation would be eased before December 5, when Thailand’s revered king will celebrate his birthday.

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