Bangkok airport to stay shut until Monday
Posted: 29 November 2008 1818 hrs

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	Related News • Thai airport protesters defy order to leave, face off with police • Stranded tourists look to land routes to get out of Bangkok

BANGKOK: Thailand's main international airport will officially remain closed for another two days, airport authorities said Saturday, as protesters continued to occupy the building.

Anti-government demonstrators occupied Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on Tuesday and the domestic Don Muang airport was closed on Thursday, stranding tens of thousands of travellers.

Despite the declaration of a state of emergency at both sites by embattled Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, police have failed to act against the protesters amid fears of violence.

"The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) group is still occupying the area in front of the Suvarnabhumi airport passenger building with no sign of dissolving," airport director Saereerat Prasutanont said in a statement.

"The airport, therefore, has to declare there will be no flights in or out for a further 48 hours until 6.00 pm (1100 GMT) on December 1," he said.

The PAD protesters have vowed not to leave until the resignation of the government that was elected last December.

- AFP/yt