(SomaliNet)Bangkok's two main airports remained occupied by anti-government protesters Friday but Thai authorities appeared to have backed down from earlier threats to end the siege by force. The airports have been closed since Tuesday, stranding thousands of passengers and dealing a severe blow to the crisis-stricken southeast Asian nation's economy at the height of the tourist season. Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, whose resignation protesters are demanding, declared a state of emergency Thursday following a cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand's second city. But Thai government spokesman Nattawut Sai-Kau told reporters Friday that police would avoid using force and attempt to negotiate with the protesters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
Police chief negotiator Suchart Muenkaew told reporters he had asked protesters at Bangkok's Don Muang airport to allow the airport to resume operations. "The prime minister has emphasized we avoid confrontation and damage. We will start with soft means, moving to the last measure — that is dispersing (protesters)," he said, according to The Associated Press.
Somchai rejected calls Wednesday to dissolve parliament, despite the country's army chief Anupong Paochinda suggesting that he do so. "This government has legitimacy," Somchai said. "The administration needs to protect Thai democracy and the Thai people, which is most important."
The People's Alliance for Democracy has said it will not end its occupation of the airports until Somchai resigns. They accuse his government of being a front for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who they want to stand trial on corruption charges.