Thai protesters force closure of second airport: officials

BANGKOK: Thai anti-government protesters have blockaded and shut down a second Bangkok airport, officials said, just over a day after they forced the closure of the country's main international hub.

Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) started massing at the old Don Mueang airport late Wednesday, aiming to prevent ministers from flying to Chiang Mai in the north to meet Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

Services at the airport were cancelled at about midnight. "I authorised Don Mueang's director-general to close the airport from midnight. It is closed indefinitely until normalcy is restored," Saererat Prasutanond, president of operator Airports of Thailand, told Thai television.

"The two airports that serve Bangkok are completely closed."

Don Mueang director Flying Officer Anirut Thanomkulbutra had earlier told AFP that the airport would reopen on Thursday evening.

"Protesters have blocked the entrance to the terminal," Anirut said.

Don Mueang operates a handful of domestic flights, and was the only airport left serving the capital after protesters swarmed the main Suvarnabhumi Airport late Tuesday, forcing the airport director to suspend flights.

A police official said about 3,000 PAD supporters were gathered outside Don Mueang airport, but no passengers were inside when the airport was surrounded as the last flight had landed hours before.

Protest leaders earlier said that they aimed to force the closure of Don Mueang to prevent ministers from flying to the northern city of Chiang Mai to meet with Somchai.