Protesters take control of Bangkok airport

Bangkok's international airport was closed late Tuesday night as anti-government protesters stormed the passenger terminal of one of Asia's key air hubs.

The Suvarnabhumi International Airport is also a key cargo gateway and remained closed on Wednesday. It's unclear what impact the protests and airport closure are having on all-cargo flights, but passenger flights have been canceled or diverted due to the unrest. Cathay Pacific, for example, said Wednesday that its regularly scheduled Hong Kong-Bangkok-Mumbai route would bypass the Bangkok stop and head straight to Mumbai.

   Flights in the air, when the protest began, were diverted to other Thai airports.

   It least 2,000 protesters surrounded the airport as part of their six-month campaign to oust the government, which they say is a puppet of exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, AFP reported.

   The Bangkok Post reported Tuesday that some of the protesters were armed with metal rods as they stormed the passenger terminal.

   The PAD has completely taken control of Suvarnabhumi Airport so any airline that wants to take off or land must seek permission from us directly,?Chaiwat Sinswuwong, one of the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy, was quoted by international press outlets. 

Source: American Shipper