Thai protesters continue airport siege

Bangkok: Thailand's army chief on Wednesday called on the embattled government to step down and call a snap election as a way out of a deepening political crisis.

Speaking at a news conference in Bangkok, Anupong Paochinda also told the rebel People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to withdraw from Bangkok's international airport and cease its anti-government campaign.

Thai anti-government protesters rejected an earlier government offer for talks, the leader of the group said, vowing to continue the standoff until demands are met.

However, Anupong insisted that he would not launch a coup to resolve the crisis, saying: "If a coup could end all the troubles, I would do it."

"It is not going to resolve anything," he added.

Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) stormed the Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday, in a sweeping move to further their campaign against Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

"You must quit first before we sit down and talk with you," People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongul told supporters at Suvarnabhumi airport.

The protesters continued their siege of Bangkok's main airport on Wednesday, storming the airport control tower.

Earlier, several protesters were wounded by a bomb, protest leaders said, as chaos continued.

The bomb could not be confirmed but the Nation newspaper reported that three explosions had been heard outside the terminal and the PAD said its people had also been the target of at least one blast in a separate part of the capital.

The Nation said reports were unclear, but added that at least 12 people appeared to have been injured by four bombs.
Meanwhile, airport authorities were forced to cancel scores of flights, stranding thousands of travelers who were forced to stay in the airport overnight.

Passengers said police did nothing to prevent the occupation by the protesters and barely any officers were present early on Wednesday.

Hundreds of demonstrators also slept in the terminal overnight but resumed their protests outside at dawn.

Somchai was due to return on Wednesday from an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru but would not land at Suvarnabhumi, a government spokesman said.

Earlier, airport director Sereerat Prasutanont told Thai television that over 40 flights to Japan, India, Europe and other destinations were cancelled, but inbound flights could still land.

"We have to suspend our service until negotiations with the protesters reach an agreement," he said.