Thailand

Protest leaders send mixed signals to Thai government

Bangkok  - Protest leaders holding Bangkok's two airports hostage in their bid to topple the government sent mixed signals on Saturday to authorities preparing to crack down on the demonstrators.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat on Thursday declared both Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang, Bangkok's former international airport, under emergency decree and ordered the police, air force and navy to clear out thousands of followers of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a movement that has been staging increasingly violent protests for the past six months.

Crackdown looms at Bangkok airports as economic losses mount

Crackdown looms at Bangkok airports as economic losses mount Bangkok  - Thai authorities on Saturday prepared to rid Bangkok's two airports of anti-government protestors who have cut off the capital's passenger air traffic, stranding an estimated 100,000 plane passengers and losing the nation millions of dollars daily.

Thai shares rise 3.09 per cent on regional rebound

ThailandBangkok - Thai shares rose 3.09 per cent in value Friday, boosted by a regional rebound that

Bangkok awaits airport crackdown amid coup rumours

Bangkok awaits airport crackdown amid coup rumoursBangkok  - Bangkok's police chief held an emergency meeting Friday at the Defence Ministry after being given the job of clearing Don Mueang Airport of anti-government protestors who have cut off the Thai capital's air traffic for three days.

Major General Suchart Muengeow was seen entering the ministry at 10:30 am. He was reportedly conferring with Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who is also defence minister, by video conference.

Holidays off for 1,200 Germans amid Bangkok strife

Holidays off for 1,200 Germans amid Bangkok strife Hamburg - German package-holiday companies cancelled holiday departures Thursday for 1,200 Germans because Bangkok's international airport remains occupied by demonstrators.

The holiday companies, which had also cancelled outbound trips on Wednesday, were conferring with airlines on how to bring holidaying Germans home on schedule, with both of Bangkok's civilian airports closed.

Lufthansa, Thai Airways International and Air Berlin's LTU unit cancelled all Bangkok-bound Thursday departures.

Thai government considering emergency rule following protests

Thailand agrees to reduce troop presence at Cambodian temple Bangkok, Nov. 27 : Thailand''s government said on Thursday that it is considering imposing emergency rule to restore order after opposition demonstrations became more violent and protesters shut down a second Bangkok airport.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has called an emergency meeting of the Cabinet to discuss whether or not to impose the state of emergency.

Such a decree would give the prime minister authority to use the military to restore order and to suspend certain civil liberties.

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