KEY POINTS:
BANGKOK - Thailand's Army chief urged the elected government late last night to step down and call a snap election as a way out of the country's political crisis.
At a news conference in Bangkok, Anupong Paochinda also told the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest movement to
withdraw from Bangkok's international airport and cease its anti-government campaign.
His calls came after activists tightened their grip over the airport, causing chaos in the terminal.
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 Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to stand down.
The anti-government movement had been preparing for some time for what they said would be a final showdown and yesterday they showed they were ready for a bloody battle, firing at Government supporters and taking over the airport.
The PAD launched its campaign to force out the Government in May and since August has occupied the Prime Minister's office.
But on Sunday it called for supporters to get behind a final push to force out Somchai's Government. After two days of simmering tensions, violence spilled on to the streets of Bangkok yesterday.
There were street clashes between supporters and opponents of the Government and the first open use of firearms by the anti-government protesters. Police said 11 Government supporters were injured, some suffering gunshot wounds.
Thailand's TPBS television showed footage of the violence on the main road to the capital's old airport. It showed shots being fired from a truck into crowds after rocks were thrown. At least two handguns can be seen and people standing with the gunmen raised a picture of the King, whom the PAD claim to be supporting.
Protesters are then seen running across the empty multi-lane road and setting fire to a motorbike. A man was also grabbed by pro-government supporters and what appeared to be a large knife was held to his throat.
The BBC reported that TPBS said its cameraman had been threatened and that PAD personnel tried to take his tape.
In other incidents, pro-government supporters threw four explosives at rival protesters, including one targeting a group about 1km from the main international airport, Suvarnabhumi.
A second was tossed into a crowd of supporters gathered at the domestic Don Muang Airport, injuring three others. Two other explosives were thrown in Bangkok but no one was injured.
Suvarnabhumi Airport was closed after demonstrators - some masked and armed with metal rods - stormed the complex, breaking through police lines and spilling into the terminal. Thousands of passengers were stranded and about 300 flights were cancelled.
Senior PAD leader Chaiwat Sinswuwong said the movement had "completely taken control" of the airport, "so any airline that wants to take off or land must seek permission from us directly".
The protesters had allowed only one flight to take off, a departure to Saudi Arabia for the Muslim haj pilgrimage.
"I have been informed by Thai Airways that 3000 passengers are stranded at the terminal now," airport director Saereerat Prasutanont told AFP, adding that 78 outbound and incoming flights were affected. "Protesters refused to negotiate with anyone except the Prime Minister."
Police said at least 8000 demonstrators cheered on PAD leaders, who gave speeches from a stage set up in the taxi drop-off area.
PAD said the airport would be shut until Somchai quits. The Prime Minister was scheduled to return overnight from the Apec summit in Peru and to land at a military airport.
The protesters appeared intent on forcing the military to intervene and bring down the elected regime.
General Anupong has ruled out a coup, though he has also said the Army "will keep peace and order to protect the public and uphold important institutions like the monarchy".
PAD has staged a number of dramatic actions in recent months. In addition to taking over the PM's office, it has twice blockaded Parliament - once setting off street battles with police that ended with two people dead and hundreds injured.
Support for PAD has been waning, and the group appeared to be edging towards bigger confrontations - involving fewer though more aggressive followers - to create chaos.
The airport blockade is a blow to the $29 billion-a-year tourism industry.
The anti-government protesters are mostly better-educated, more-affluent urban Thais demanding that the country move away from a Western-style electoral system, which they say Thaksin exploited to buy votes.
They favour a system in which some representatives are chosen by certain professions and social groups. They believe Somchai is a puppet for Thaksin.
The anti-government forces have the behind-the-scenes support of elements of the military and parties close to the royal palace.
- AGENCIES
