BANGKOK, Thailand - Thai authorities shut down Bangkok's second airport today after it was overrun by anti-government protesters, completely cutting off the capital from air traffic as the prime minister rejected their demands to resign, deepening the country's crisis.
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat says his government will keep functioning despite demands by the army chief and demonstrators that he call new elections to resolve the political crisis.
"I reassure the people that this government, which is legitimate and came from elections, will keep functioning until the end," Somchai said in a nationally televised speech yesterday.
He spoke after landing in northern Thailand on a flight from Peru, where he had been attending a summit of leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. While he was out of the country, thousands of protesters broke through police lines Tuesday night and seized Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, a busy regional hub.
The crisis worsened early today as authorities shut down the Don Muang domestic airport, which had been receiving some diverted flights from Suwarnabhumi.
Some of the People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrators were armed with golf clubs, metal rods and sticks. Others handed out food to tourists, many of whom spent the night trying to sleep on the floor.
"This is a farce," said Tony Beck, 39, of Liverpool, England. "I can't say this is going to do much for Thai tourism." After forcing authorities to close the country's busiest airport late Tuesday, the protesters occupied the abandoned control tower.
Hours before the prime minister spoke to the nation, army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda told reporters that Somchai should dissolve parliament and hold new elections. The general's position apparently strengthened the resolve of protesters, whose leaders repeated that they would not leave the main airport until Somchai resigns.
Insisting his call for elections did not amount to a coup, the army chief also said protesters should leave the Suvarnabhumi airport. The demonstration there has stranded about 3,000 travelers and an unknown number at Don Muang airport.
"The government still has full authority," the general said at a news conference after meeting with officials from the military and police, along with academics and business leaders. "If a coup could end all the troubles, I would do it," he said.
