Thai PM declares emergency at two airports
Updated
In Thailand, the embattled prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, has declared a state of emergency at the country's two biggest airports to allow police to clear them of protesters. Thailand's tourism minister says authorities plan to begin flying thousands of stranded travellers out of one or two military bases in the next 48 hours. Meanwhile, it's the hour of reckoning for thousands of anti-government protesters in Thailand who are trying to force Prime Minister Somchai to resign. Despite the damage being done to Thailand's economy, the People's Alliance for Democracy is insisting it genuinely has the country's interests at heart.
Presenter: South East Asia correspondent Karen Percy
Speakers: PAD demonstrator; union leader Somsak Kosaisuk; Professor Panitan Wattanayakorn, Chulalongkorn University
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KAREN PERCY: In a matter of days the People's Alliance for Democracy has managed to go from one protest site at Government House to three, surrounding and shutting down the international and domestic airports in Bangkok. Thousands of passengers are still trying to figure out how they will get out of Thailand and there are few options. Thai Airways is said to be losing $20 million a day. It is the largest flight operator in Thailand. Thousands of small businesses and individuals rely heavily on tourist traffic but that seems to be of little concern for the people causing the problems.
This man is one of the PAD's guards. He tells us that he's aware that Thais and tourists have had their tickets cancelled but he's told them the politicians are responsible for the economic problems. "I came because I don't want the government to work anymore," says one woman. "Because people know that this government is corrupt," she says. This is far from a mass movement. It is centred on a small section of Bangkok's middle class. There are teachers, academics, retirees, students, most of them older women or young men. Among the leaders there's a media tycoon, a former general and union bosses like Somsak Kosaisuk. "The economy is bad because of this evil government," he says. He tells us the government has been corrupt because of Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister Samak was his puppet. Now Mr Thaksin's brother-in-law is in charge.
The Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is married to Mr Thaksin's sister. Mr Thaksin was prime minister for six years until a military coup two years ago. He was convicted of corruption last month but maintains the case was politically motivated. He lives in exile but is vowing a comeback. PAD leader Somsak tells us the country's troubles aren't because of the takeover of the airports. He says it's because of bad government. Many questions are being asked about how the protestors have been able to take over these facilities with such ease. The police have put up little resistance. It seems the Government is trying to appear flexible. Professor Panitan Wattanayagorn from Chulalongkom University says it's a tactic to win over broader public sympathy.
PROFESSOR PANITAN WATTANAYAGORN: In this case I think they have been too accommodating, too flexible and the control tower or a secured area in a major international airport is a restricted zones that no one should be allowed in. It is sending a bad signal to the international community that we are not serious enough about the international gateway where Thais are not only dependent on that but international travellers are also depending on that. So they need to come back to their control.
KAREN PERCY: Some people worry it could lead to external security threats. Professor Wattanayagorn again.
PROFESSOR PANITAN WATTANAYAGORN: Yes, it exposed weaknesses of the Thai Government or the Thai security agency. They need to do much more but it's not easy to take over the Government House or the international airport. You take a lot of people, several thousand - hundred thousand people to organise for more than 100 days, a lot more support behind the scene also. It takes a lot of organisation, it takes a lot of support from various people and it takes a lot of perhaps luck and other factors. So it's not easy.
KAREN PERCY: The protestors say they won't move on until the government is gone. That means there's either a long fight ahead or a bloody one.
