ASIA: Bangkok flights stop after protesters storm terminal
26 Nov 2008 1:44 AM
BANGKOK, Nov 25 AFP/AP - Thai authorities have stopped outgoing flights from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport indefinitely after anti-government protesters stormed the terminal, officials and police say.
"Airports of Thailand (AOL) decided to shut down Suvarnabhumi after protesters stormed the terminal. We have already informed the airlines who operate from it," a spokesman for the airport operator said on Tuesday.
"Flights in the air will be diverted to either Chiang Mai, Phuket or other airports, but it closed as of 9pm (0100 AEDT Wednesday)," the official said, referring to cities in northern and southern Thailand.
Airport manager Serirat Prasutanon announced the closure shortly after 9.15pm. A few minutes later, hundreds of demonstrators broke though police lines into the passenger terminal.
In a statement, Serirat said airport authorities tried to negotiate with the protesters "but to no avail."
"For the safety for passengers, we have to stop flights out of the airport temporarily until the situation returns to normal," he said, adding that incoming flights were still operating.
Earlier, he said the governor of Samut Prakan province where the airport is located had asked the army to help police.
