Hundreds of Thai protesters tighten siege of airport

Bangkok: At least 2,000 anti-government protesters tightened their siege of Thailand's main airport on Saturday, forcing dozens of riot police to abandon a checkpoint.

Witnesses said the supporters of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) forced about 150 police away from the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Airport director Serirat Prasutanont said the standoff has forced the airport authority to extend the airport's closure until at least 6pm Monday.

The confrontation has severed the capital from civilian air traffic and stranded some 100,000 tourists.

The protesters are seeking to oust Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat in the latest escalation in a long-running political crisis.

Commanders on the ground said they would not yet try to evict by force the thousands of protesters at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports.

PAD supporters deflated the tyres of ambulances and police vehicles at the police checkpoint, while 2,000 police were deployed around the Suvarnabhumi international airport.