Thai leader avoids capital and conflict

Bangkok riot police yesterday near a checkpoint at the besieged Suvarnabhumi International Airport. (Vincent Thian/Associated Press)

BANGKOK - Thailand's prime minister stayed away from the capital yesterday, unable to quell a political crisis that has paralyzed his government for weeks and has shut down the city's two main airports and stranded 300,000 foreigners.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has refused to send in police to evict protesters besieging the airports or occupying his office complex for fear of bloodshed, instead making weak pleas for them to go home. The demonstrators vow to stay until Somchai resigns; he has refused.

The months-long crisis has drained millions of dollars from the economy and is worsening divisions in Thailand.

Late yesterday, an explosion hit protesters camped outside Bangkok's airport for domestic flights. Mongkut Wattana hospital said 13 people were injured, including three who suffered serious shrapnel wounds.

It was the third such attack in two days targeting anti-Somchai activists. So far, six people have been killed and dozens injured in bomb attacks, clashes with police, and street battles between government opponents and supporters.

Neither the army, a key player in Thai politics, nor the country's revered king has offered Somchai the firm backing he needs to resolve the standoff.

The prime minister has been working out of the northern city of Chiang Mai since Wednesday, saying he wants to avoid a confrontation with the People's Alliance for Democracy, the group that has been campaigning since May to topple the government.

ASSOCIATED PRESS