Riot police surround Bangkok airports

[tekisui]

Reporting from Bangkok, Thailand -- Bangkok's two main airports were surrounded by riot police early today in the Thailand government's latest gambit to disperse protesters who have blockaded air traffic and cut the Southeast Asian nation off from the world.

Police at domestic Don Muang airport, overrun by members of the anti-government Peoples' Alliance for Democracy late on Wednesday, said "necessary measures" would be taken should protesters not stand down.

At Suvarnabhumi Airport, one of the busiest international air hubs in Asia, 100 police were deployed, but they only watched as the PAD reinforced its roadblocks and sang protest songs from a makeshift camp at the main entrance.

With fears of bloody clashes escalating, the founder of the protest movement rejected a plea from Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to negotiate.

"Today the prime minister contacted me on the telephone to negotiate. There are no talks," the PAD's Sondhi Limthongkul told supporters at Don Muang.

Wongsawat declared a state of emergency Thursday to restore air traffic and social order. On Friday, Somchai fired the national police chief, Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwanbut, for failing to move against the occupiers.

more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-thailand29-2008nov29,0,54212.story

[annabanana]

1. I sure do wish that our lazy lazy lazy media would give us a crash

course into the history of this conflict.. You know.. That tricky "context" thingie that we used to get long ago...

[tekisui]

2. You're so quaint.

You know they have to keep it simple. If it isn't someone famous, and takes longer that 15 seconds to explain, forget it.

It is frustrating having to piece everything together on your own.