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Thai riot police confront protesters in Thaksin's compound

Hundreds of Thai riot police confronted thousands of anti-government demonstrators on Friday, with protests spreading across Thailand and forcing the airport in Phuket to close, Thai Airways said.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 09:06 August 29, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: AP
  • Thai demonstrators scuffle with riot police officers during a demonstration outside government house in Bangkok.
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Bangkok: Hundreds of Thai riot police confronted thousands of anti-government demonstrators on Friday, with protests spreading across Thailand and forcing the airport in Phuket to close, Thai Airways said.

"Flights have been suspended because the airport authorities have announced that the airport is closed," a Thai Airways spokeswoman said.

Earlier on Friday, hundreds of Thai riot police entered the occupied compound of the prime minister's office to deliver a court order for the eviction of protesters there.

Scuffles broke out between police and sentries posted by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which occupied the seat of government on Tuesday.

The 4,000 PAD protesters have vowed to remain inside the Government House compound until the current administration falls.

At least 15 protesters were arrested and the police forced open three of five padlocked gates into the compound.

On a bridge leading to the compound, hundreds of riot police armed with batons and shields faced off near a barricade manned by PAD followers.

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