Protests Cause Airport Closings in Thailand

In Thailand, protests and vandalism by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has led to flight cancellations to three airports essential to Thailand’s tourism industry. Today, Serirat Prasutanond, acting president of Airports of Thailand, ordered a halt to all flights at Phuket International, Krabi International and Hat Yai International airports until further notice after anti-government protesters invaded Phuket International airport, shattering glass doors and partitions and blocking airport entrances. PAD protesters also blocked entrances at two other southern airports in Krabi and Hat Yai, causing hundreds of passengers to miss their flights.

Government agencies have received word that PAD protesters planned to move against all upcountry airports if police break up the ongoing PAD demonstration in Bangkok. If government force continues against the PAD protestors in Bangkok, the Thai Airways union is threatening to call for all 25,000 airline staff nationwide to stop work and join the protests.