General Anupong Paochinda, the army chief, declared that the opposition People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) should first withdraw from Bangkok’s international airport and cease its anti-government campaign.
The protesters had tightened their grip over Suvarnabhumi airport adding to the chaos at the terminal and triggering speculation of imminent intervention by the military. The leader of the protesters, Sondhi Limthongul, had rejected a government offer of talks to end the airport blockade.
“You must quit first before we sit down and talk with you,” he told a cheering mob in a speech at the airport.
Gen Anupong has insisted many times he will not launch a coup only two years after the military’s removal of Thaksin Shinawatra as prime minister, although he has publicly pressed the prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, to stand down.
Mr Somchai finally returned from an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru, arriving at the airport in the northern city of Chiang Mai amid rumours he may declare a state of emergency.
The Bangkok Post meanwhile reported that masked members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) had invaded the control tower at Suvarnabhumi airport.
The leader of a pro-government group in Thailand urged supporters to march in Bangkok, raising the prospect of street clashes with anti-government protesters.
“I will hold a press conference today to urge our people to come out and declare our stance against a coup,” Jatuporn Prompan, a ruling party politician and leader of a major pro-government group, said.
The Thai authorities had to evacuate passengers who were stranded overnight at the airport.
Hundreds of weary travellers were herded out of the arrivals area on to buses provided by the facility’s operator.
More than 3,000 passengers – including many British holidaymakers and families – have been trapped there since Tuesday night, when demonstrators swarmed the building.
The Britons at the airport had to contend with anti-government protesters - some masked and armed with metal rods – swarming into the airport overnight, forcing authorities to cancel all 292 flights today.
Passengers had to sleep where they could – on suitcases, luggage trolleys, security conveyor belts and behind vacated check-in counters.
A series of small bomb blasts wounded several anti-government protesters blockading the airport on Wednesday, protest leaders said, as chaos ruled inside the terminal.
One bomb wounded four members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a spokesman said, hours after the PAD stormed the airport in a dramatic escalation of its six-month campaign to oust Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.
Three explosions were heard outside the terminal, the gateway for nearly 15 million tourists to Thailand last year.
The Nation said a fourth blast appeared to target PAD supporters in another part of Bangkok. It said 12 people were wounded in the overnight attacks, but police have not confirmed the casualties.
Thailand’s finance minister has said the protests could have a damaging effect on the economy, which depends on tourism as a key sector and is already vulnerable to global financial turmoil.
