Police on Saturday afternoon surrounded and cordoned off Suvarnabhumi airport as the prime minister denounced the virtual international isolation - signs a violent end game is approaching.
The no-nonsense police cordon came after PAD protesters scuffled with officers and kidnapped two earlier in the day.
Airlines and officials helped thousands of frustrated tourists escape through U-Tapao air base, but announced the besieged Suvarnabhumi international airport would remain closed for at least two more days.
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat warned that the protests against his administration risked casting Thailand into international isolation.
The sigge "is extremely dangerous. It will make foreign countries lose confidence in Thailand. They will not fly their aircraft in or allow their citizens to travel here," he said.
Police in the morning were forced by angry demonstrators to abandon five large trucks near a checkpoint, which were left with their tyres deflated, and another security post at the airport.
Late Saturday 2,000 police officers were deployed to set up four more checkpoints on the road to Suvarnabhumi.
The AFP news agency quoted airport security Pol Maj Gen Rarshane Reunkomol as saying, "We have set them up just for weapons checks."
A peaceful end to the protest was still the goal, he said. "The government is still in the process of negotiations and I have asked my men not to use force whatever happens. The gunfire will not be heard from police."
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rejected calls to negotiate. Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang will remain closed until Somchai resigns, said PAD founder and leader Sondhi Limthongkul.
"If we have to die today, I am willing to die. This is a fight for dignity," he said on a broadcast by his own ASTV station.
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To move or not to move - that is the crucial question now. To flush the protesters out or to stay check-mated is also the crucial question now.So what is Bangkok going to do - the airports are down. It's a face to face stand-off now.
Will brute force be used? Will the Thais be prepared for a surprise Tiananmen Incident? Do they have any Tengsioaping in the Police and in the Army? What is going to happen?
Pray there will no bloodshed. Otherwise Bangkok will be burning like an inferno with compelete anarchy.
May the Divine help the Thais to make the right decision.
The no-nonsense police cordon came after PAD protesters scuffled with officers and kidnapped two earlier in the day.
Airlines and officials helped thousands of frustrated tourists escape through U-Tapao air base, but announced the besieged Suvarnabhumi international airport would remain closed for at least two more days.
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat warned that the protests against his administration risked casting Thailand into international isolation.
The sigge "is extremely dangerous. It will make foreign countries lose confidence in Thailand. They will not fly their aircraft in or allow their citizens to travel here," he said.
Police in the morning were forced by angry demonstrators to abandon five large trucks near a checkpoint, which were left with their tyres deflated, and another security post at the airport.
Late Saturday 2,000 police officers were deployed to set up four more checkpoints on the road to Suvarnabhumi.
The AFP news agency quoted airport security Pol Maj Gen Rarshane Reunkomol as saying, "We have set them up just for weapons checks."
A peaceful end to the protest was still the goal, he said. "The government is still in the process of negotiations and I have asked my men not to use force whatever happens. The gunfire will not be heard from police."
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rejected calls to negotiate. Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang will remain closed until Somchai resigns, said PAD founder and leader Sondhi Limthongkul.
"If we have to die today, I am willing to die. This is a fight for dignity," he said on a broadcast by his own ASTV station.
....................................................................................................
To move or not to move - that is the crucial question now. To flush the protesters out or to stay check-mated is also the crucial question now.So what is Bangkok going to do - the airports are down. It's a face to face stand-off now.
Will brute force be used? Will the Thais be prepared for a surprise Tiananmen Incident? Do they have any Tengsioaping in the Police and in the Army? What is going to happen?
Pray there will no bloodshed. Otherwise Bangkok will be burning like an inferno with compelete anarchy.
May the Divine help the Thais to make the right decision.
