State of Emergency Declared in Bangkok

(NEWSER) - Anti-government protesters ignored Thailand’s state of emergency by the thousands today while former PM Thaksin Shinawatra called on them “to come out in revolution,” the New York Times reports. In defiance of a ban on gatherings of more than five people in Bangkok, demonstrators rallied outside the current prime minister’s home, attacked his car, and erected barricades in case of military intervention. More»

Marketplace fight led to shooting: minister

(NEWSER) - As political street-fighting rages on in Thailand, a gun battle in a residential area of Bangkok has led to the first two deaths, authorities tell the AP. A government spokesman said the encounter was between anti-government protesters and local residents, who were angry over the continuing demonstrations. More than 100 were injured in today’s skirmishes, a medical center reports. More»

Dozens injured as troops move to quell Bangkok protests

(NEWSER) - Dozens of people were injured today as the Thai military moved to crush protests causing chaos in Bangkok. Soldiers opened fire at demonstrators who had taken control of a major junction and set fire to a bus they had commandeered. Most aimed over the protesters' heads but some fired live rounds directly into the crowd, a BBC correspondent at the scene reports. More»

But vow to remain as 100,000 stranded tourists scramble to get home

(NEWSER) - Thai protesters allowed 37 empty planes to be flown today from Bangkok's main airport after European nations announced they would charter flights to evacuate nationals trapped there. The planes flew to a naval base, where travelers can try to arrange to catch flights home, CNN reports. Protesters will allow another 50 flights out later today, according to the BBC. More»

Government declares state of emergency

(NEWSER) - The Thai government has declared a state of emergency and is preparing to storm Bangkok's international airport, the Times of London reports. Officials are attempting to negotiate a peaceful solution with representatives of thousands of anti-government protesters who have occupied the city’s two airports since Tuesday—but 30 medical teams are on standby in case of a bloody confrontation. More»