Thai Prime Minister Fires Police Chief; Protest At Bangkok's Airports Enters Fourth Day

November 28, 2008 7:28 a.m. EST

Bangkok, Thailand (AHN) - Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat dismissed his chief of national police, Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwanbut, on Friday, the fourth day of anti-government protests and a day after he declared a state of emergency at two Bangkok airports.

Somchai returned to his government earlier this week from the annual APEC Summit held in Lima, Peru to find nation's main airport, Suvarnabhumi airport, occupied by thousands of protesters, who are calling for his resignation. Protesters also later trooped to Don Muang airport.

The paralysis of two of the busiest airports in Asia, which occurred just as many tourists and foreigners were planning to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, is the latest development after six months of violent demonstrations.

Thai Army chief Anupong Paojinda had called on Somchai to dissolve parliament and hold early elections to avoid more violence, but the prime minister as well as protesters have shot down the proposal. Protesters have come mainly from a group called People's Alliance for Democracy, which is questioning the legitimacy of the government of Somchai, who is the brother-in-law of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup in 2006 after after being convicted for corruption. He is in exile in London.

Somchai's emergency declaration at the two airports gives the police the authority to disperse protesters. But the police have continued negotiations with demonstrators.