US, UK AND EU CONDEMN AIRPORT CLOSURES

BANGKOK POST AND AFP

The United States, Britain and the European Union have issued statements urging anti-government protesters to vacate Bangkok's airports, saying the rallies are inappropriate and "seriously damaging" Thailand's image.

The US statement by Gordon Duguid, acting deputy spokesman of the Department of State said: "The US is deeply concerned about the actions of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in seizing Bangkok's international and domestic airports, preventing the free movement of people and goods.

"While we respect the right to freedom of expression, seizing an airport is not an appropriate means of protest.

"We urge the PAD to walk away from the airports peacefully.

"We hope that this situation can be resolved without violence and in accordance with the law."

Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Bill Rammell said yesterday that the situation facing the many British nationals stranded in Bangkok is frustrating and deeply concerning.

"Our priority is to help them get home, and I am grateful for the support provided by the Thai authorities to those affected," he said.

"Our consular teams on the ground and in London are doing all they can to help. They are taking numerous calls and are meeting as many British nationals as possible. Our travel advice is regularly updated and I urge people to monitor it closely.

"I call on all parties in Thailand to take steps to resolve the crisis and restore public order, respecting the rule of law and the country's democratic institutions.

"The events of the last few days have damaged Thailand's international reputation, so I welcome the announcement that negotiations will take place with demonstrators tomorrow," Mr Rammell said.

A statement from EU ambassadors in Bangkok called on all parties to resolve the political crisis peacefully and in line with democratic institutions but it focused on the acts of the demonstrators.

"While respecting the right of protesting and without interfering in any way with the internal political debate in Thailand, the EU considers that these actions are totally inappropriate," the statement said.

"They are seriously damaging the international image of Thailand."

The statement said more than 100,000 passengers had been left stranded as a result of the anti-government protests.

The ambassadors "urge the protesters to evacuate the airports peacefully without delay in order to avoid a major consular crisis and its economic consequences for Thailand", the statement said.