Thailand: Police 'won't use force' to remove airport protesters

Mr Nattawut said police had been instructed to get the protesters out of airports “as soon as possible” in a “peaceful manner”.

The comments came hours after prime minister Somchai Wongsawat declared a state of emergency at the Bangkok airports, authorising police to take back the terminals that signalled an imminent crackdown.

Thousands of tourists have been left stranded since anti-government protesters occupied the main international Suvarnabhumi airport on Tuesday and the smaller Don Muang airport on Wednesday.

Both airports are now shut down and the capital cut off to air traffic.

Mr Somchai had declared a state of emergency at the airports yesterday, authorising police to take back the terminals – an order that appeared to indicate that a crackdown against the protesters was imminent.

But eight hours later, the government changed its strategy, opting for a peaceful approach.

“Firstly, the police should open negotiation with the protesters. If they refuse to go, police should do whatever is necessary to open the airports on the basis of non-violence,” Mr Nattawut said.

The new soft line, and the government’s failure to send in security forces so far, has raised doubts about whether Mr Somchai has the support of security forces and the army, a powerful institution that has traditionally played a key role in the country’s politics.

Army commander General Anupong Paochinda has so far been neutral in the political turmoil, and even suggested that Mr Somchai call new elections, triggering speculation that a military coup could take place. The whispers were further fuelled by press reports of tank movements that the military later said were only a training exercise.

In an address to the nation to announce the emergency, Mr Somchai said that navy and air force would help the police, but was vague about any participation by the army, saying only the government would also ask the army “to help take care of the people”.

The state of emergency also empowers the government to suspend some civil liberties, including restricting the movement of people and banning mass assembly.

Emergency was declared once before in the three months since the protesters seized the prime minister’s office, but there was no move to take advantage of its provisions, apparently because the army was reluctant to take on the alliance, which at the time enjoyed greater popularity.

The protesters remained defiant today.

“We are ready to defend ourselves against any government’s operations to get us out of those places,” Parnthep Wongpuapan, a spokesman for the People’s Alliance for Democracy, said.

“We are going to stay at the airports until Somchai resigns.”

Protesters at the international airport donned goggles and helmets, and first aid stations handed out surgical masks in anticipation of a police raid. The group’s “guards” were patrolling the area with slingshots and metal batons. Many also carried concealed handguns.

The alliance’s protest grew out of its hatred of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a brother-in-law of Mr Somchai. Mr Thaksin was ousted in a bloodless military coup in September 2006 after months of protests by the alliance.

It accused Thaksin and his allies of corruption and abuse of power. Mr Thaksin is in exile, a fugitive from a conviction for violating a conflict of interest law. The group says Mr Somchai is merely a Thaksin puppet and should go.

:: Thai Airways said today it would arrange a special flight for hundreds of Thai Muslims whose plans to go on the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia were disrupted by the airport closures.

The flight with about 250 pilgrims would depart from the Hat Yai airport the country’s Muslim-majority south, said Thai Airways executive vice president Narongsak Sangapong. More flights are planned.

More than 5,000 Thai Muslim pilgrims had planned to make the Hajj but are unable to go because of the airport closures, according to the English daily Bangkok Post.