Thai activists face charges for closing airports

Jul 5, 2009, 2:46 GMT

   Bangkok - Thai police have summoned 16 leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), also known as the 'yellow shirts,' to face charges related to the closure of Bangkok's two international airports last year, media reports said Sunday.

   On July 1, police issued charges against the PAD leaders and summoned them to face authorities on July 16, the Bangkok Post reported.

   Among those charged was current Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, a former PAD member who led the protest at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

   The protestors closed both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airport on for 10 days in November and December.

   The closures caused billions of dollars in damages to the country's tourism and export sectors, and led to the eventual downfall of the government under former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, the brother-in-law of fugitive politician Thaksin Shinawatra.

   Thailand's current government, under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, has been criticized for not bringing the PAD leaders to justice and for seemingly condoning their destructive acts by appointing Kasit as foreign minister.

   Others facing charges include media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul, protest strategist Chamlong Srimuang and Somsak Kosaisuk, the leader of the newly set up New Politics Party.

   The PAD, who wore yellow shirts to demonstrate their loyalty to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, were dedicated to the overthrow of Thailand's previous government which they deemed a proxy for Thaksin, a billionaire former telecommunications tycoon who was prime minister between 2001-06 before he was toppled by a coup.