BANGKOK, Thailand — Thousands of protesters surrounded the Thai government’s temporary headquarters at Bangkok’s domestic airport today, attempting to bring the administration to a standstill a day after blocking a parliament session.
The demonstrators, seeking the resignation of a government they allege is corrupt, camped outside the former VIP terminal at Don Muang airport that now serves as the office for Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.
Somchai was in Peru for a summit of Pacific Rim leaders and not expected back until Wednesday. The VIP terminal is about half a mile from the main passenger terminal, and protesters showed no immediate sign of trying to disrupt travel.
Still, travelers were advised to arrive early for flights and traffic was expected to be heavier than usual because of the protest, airport deputy director Viroj Ewcharoen said in a statement.
Demonstrators said their goal is to block the government from meeting — whenever and wherever that may be.
“We’ll protest until there is no Cabinet meeting,” said a protest leader, Somsak Kosaisuk. “We’ll interrupt their every attempt to ruin the country further.”
The protest marked the second day of what the People’s Alliance for Democracy calls its “final showdown” with the government in their campaign to force Somchai’s resignation.
Top protest leader Chamlong Srimuang vowed that today’s protest would be “more intense” than the one the day before.
Thousands of protesters blockaded parliament on Monday, forcing it to postpone a special joint session of both houses. Smaller rallies were held at the Finance Ministry and other government offices.
