Protesters swarm Thai airport, takeoffs suspended

Anti-government demonstrators swarmed Bangkok's international airport late on Tuesday (today) - halting departing flights, as opponents and supporters of Thailand's government fought running battles in the streets of the city. Minutes after outbound flights at Suvarnabhumi International Airport were suspended, hundreds of demonstrators - some masked and armed with metal rods - broke through police lines and spilled into the passenger terminal.

Airport manager Serirat Prasutanon said airport authorities tried unsuccessfully to negotiate with the protesters. "For the safety for passengers, we have to stop flights out of the airport temporarily until the situation returns to normal," he said in a statement. He said incoming flights were operating and that the provincial governor asked the army to help police.

Travelers seemed bewildered. "This is the first time I have seen anything like this. I am glad that it did not turn out violent," said Daniel Garmona, a tourist from North Carolina who was waiting for a flight back to the U.S. Using trucks and cars, demonstrators blocked highway access to the