Thailad’s main International Airport is under the control of the protesters for the second day, where 4.000 passengers are believed to be stranded. All inbound and outbound flights are cancelled. Protesters demand the resignation of the Prime Minster Somchai Wongsawat. In the last 24 hours demonstrators have not come to an agreement with government and still have full control of the International Airport Suvarnabhumi. Protesters claim that the government is “corrupt and being a proxy” for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, that ousted by bloodless military coup in 2006. Protesters believe that ex-PM still plays a very influential role in the current government.
In a televised address PM Somchai said that his government was legitimate and democratically elected. "My position is not important. But democratic values are," he said. Mr. Somchai condemned the protesters for violating the law and urges them to disperse. But it seems that protesters would continue unless the government agrees to their demand. Passengers are frustrated and disappointed that they are caught up in the middle of political tension where neither side is prepared to negotiate. Although army chief, General Anupong Paochina, urged the government to step down and called for a withdrawal by demonstrators. Yet a government spokesperson said: “The prime minister has said many times that he will not quit or dissolve parliament because he has been democratically elected. That still stands."
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has also rejected Paochina’s demand of withdraw from the airport. A spokesperson from the PAD said; “Right now, our demand remains the same. If the government does not quit, we will not quit”. In an interview with the BBC one American tourist told a reporter that she loved Thailand. “But now I hated it. I will never come back,” she said. No-one knows how long the protesters will keep the airport closed. It appears that protesters are well organized as plenty of foods and water given to the passengers. Protesters claims that they are supported by the public.
Bangkok is ideal place for tourists from around the world in particular Britain, US, Australia and many other countries in Asia and Europe. At this critical time where Thanksgiving holidays are celebrates across United States, most people are stranded in Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand. According to a British newspaper the Guardian, “the crisis deepened as a pro-government gang shot dead an opposition protester in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The man, whose son ran a small anti-government radio station, was dragged by the gang from his car and executed, senior policeman Atipol Thongdaeng told Reuters”.
Thailand tourism industry is worth $16 billion year and it has a big impact on Thailand’s economy. Some analysts have said that a military coup is imminent, as it has happened in the past, but it is unclear what would happen in the next 24 hours. One thing is for certain that American tourists stranded in the Thai airport would not be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families and friends.
