Thai protesters brace for battle with security forces

Bangkok: Protesters at Bangkok's two airports braced for battle with security forces on Friday after the prime minister declared a state of emergency to end the blockade.

Protesters and supporters of People's Alliance of Democracy (PAD) have conducted a sit in at the Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports, forcing hundreds of flights to be cancelled and leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

"We will not leave. We will use human shields against the police if they try to disperse us," said PAD leader Suriyasai Katasila.

PAD guards had set up a series of roadblocks on the main expressway to the airport and were stopping all cars and checking passengers and trunk compartments.

The protesters want to unseat the government it accuses of being a pawn of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.