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Police aim for peaceful end to Thailand airport siege
Thai police have ordered thousands of anti-government protesters, who have taken over Bangkok's airports in a mass anti-government rally, to disperse immediately or face prosecution, they said in a statement on Sunday.
- Agencies
- Published: 10:43 November 30, 2008
- People's Alliance for Democracy protesters camp out at the besieged Suvarnabhumi international airport in Bangkok.
- Image Credit: AP
Bangkok: Anti-government Thai protesters on Monday began leaving the prime minister's office following a three-month sit in to reinforce the crippling blockade at Bangkok's two airports.
"It's too risky to stay at Government House because of repeated attacks against us," PAD spokeswoman Anchalee Paireerak said. "All of us have started to move now. We expect to complete the movement this evening."
On Sunday, Thai police ordered thousands of anti-government protesters who have taken over Bangkok's airports to disperse immediately or face prosecution.
The statement from police responsible for Don Muang airport also banned gatherings of more than five people at the airport and forbade alarmist media reports
Thai police have been in talks with protesters occupying the airports to end the stand-offs peacefully, a police spokesman said earlier on Sunday.
"We are in a negotiation process. We want to avoid any violent confrontation. We will not use weapons," Pongsapat Pongcharoen told a news conference.
The government has declared a state of emergency at the two airports and has given police the authority to remove the protesters.
Meanwhile, the first batch of Emiratis stranded in Thailand arrived in the UAE earlier on Sunday on a flight especially arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Two hundred and sixteen passengers, including families, the sick and elderly, were the first Emiratis to be flown to the UAE after being caught up in airport closures in Thailand.
With inputs from Abbas Al Lawati and Wafa Issa, Staff Reporters.
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