29 Nov 2008

Coup fears rise after Thai prime minister sacks police chief

The Thai prime minister sacked the country's police chief last night after security forces failed to evict anti-government demonstrators from Bangkok's two airports, leaving the country all but cut off and thousands of overseas travellers stranded.

Somchai Wongsawat's decision to remove police general Pacharawat Wongsuwan was another sign of the deepening tensions between the government and the security forces that have raised fears of another coup.

But as the airport demonstrators were given an ultimatum to leave, riot police were seen gathering at Suvarnabhumi international, suggesting that they were preparing to clear the terminal, which had been shut down for a fourth day.

The Guardian

A TV presenter at an anti-government satellite station in Thailand has come under fire in his studio.