Thai PM unable to quell growing crisis

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand's prime minister stayed away from the capital Monday, unable to quell a political crisis that has paralyzed his government for weeks and 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 monthslong crisis has drained millions of dollars from the economy and is worsening divisions in Thailand.

Late Monday, an explosion hit protesters camped outside Bangkok's airport for domestic flights. Reuters reported one person was killed and 22 wounded.

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.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Thai government supporters surrounded the Constitutional Court on Tuesday in a bid to stop a vote fraud case that could deal a crippling blow to the government, witnesses and Thai television said.

Riot police in body armour were stationed inside the court compound in Bangkok, where the judges were expected to begin the hearing.

Governing in exile
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.

Video   Stranded tourists flee Thailand amid 'chaos' Dec. 1: Blocked by anti-government protesters at the Bangkok airport, tourists are attempting to fly through U-Tapao, a Vietnam War-era air base with only one runway in operation. NBC's Ian Williams reports. Nightly News

On Monday, Somchai went to a Buddhist temple and prayed with dozens of monks for the health of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who celebrates his 81st birthday Friday.

Asked about the crisis, Somchai told reporters: "The authorities are working in line with due process, but we have to depend on police, soldiers and civil servants." He refused to elaborate.

Many Thais hoped a court ruling could resolve the impasse.

The Constitutional Court was scheduled to hear final arguments Tuesday in a case accusing Somchai and others in his party of electoral fraud. A verdict could come as early as this week, and conviction would see Somchai banned from politics and his party dissolved.

Even if that happened and the protesters dispersed, it would likely take at least another week before Bangkok's airports became operational.

The airport closure has blocked all commercial flights in and out of the capital, forcing thousands to cancel vacations during the peak tourist season and halting vital postal air services, such as the delivery of specialized medicines.

Tourism dollars lost
Kongrit Hiranyakit, head of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said more than 300,000 travelers were stranded in Thailand, with 35,000 to 45,000 being added each day the airports remained closed.

Some stranded travelers were driving hundreds of miles to other airports, such as Chiang Mai in the north and Phuket in the south to leave the country.

France's government said it sent a 500-seat Boeing 747 to Thailand on Monday to pick up French nationals. It said priority would be given to tourists with medical problems, the elderly and families with small children.

MORE FROM ASIA-PACIFIC

Asia-Pacific Section Front

S. Korea: N. Korea missiles can hit key targets U.N. chief: N. Korea's actions deeply regrettable Bomb blast near Philippine cathedral kills 1 Myanmar denies request to see Suu Kyi Airline crew bares all to get passengers’ attention China: PC makers voluntarily supply Web filter World Blog: ‘The new New York is Beijing’ Asia-Pacific Section Front   Add Asia-Pacific headlines to your news reader: