Culminating what rebel People Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders had dubbed the ‘final battle” on Tuesday, a Constitutional Court ruling in Thailand ordered the dissolution of the ruling party and banned Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from politics for the next five years.
The court ruling follows months of opposition protests, including a week-old siege of Bangkok international airport and sparked angry counter-protests by Prime Minister Wongsawat's supporters outside the court.
The court was hearing into vote-rigging charges leveled against the People Power Party's coalition headed by Wongsawat.
At the Suvarnabhumi international airport, jubilant PAD activists celebrated the landmark ruling but vowed to maintain a blockade of the airport until they were convinced that the ruling coalition would not simply return under another name.
Passenger flights remained grounded, but cargo, military and emergency flights resumed Tuesday afternoon at the airport, said media reports quoting airport officials.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Wongsawat loyalists, who earlier termed the vote-rigging case a “concealed coup,” staged angry counter-protests outside the court following the decision.
The blockade at the Suvarnabhumi international effectuated by anti-governmment protesters started on November 25, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and caught in the midst of the country’s deteriorating political climate.
"We wish we hadn't come here at all," Keri Gannam, a visitor from the United States, who was honeymooning in Thailand was quoted by CNN as saying. "It's just stressful. It's taken away everything... I'm supposed to have job interviews. I missed them."
"Money isn't flowing in for us," added her husband, Andy. "And we came here to take a couple of relaxing weeks -- something both of us had earned. And it's turned out being a disaster, basically."
In a humanitarian mood after the judgment PAD activists allowed convoy of buses, carrying Muslim pilgrims stranded at Suvarnabhumi since last Tuesday, to leave for a naval base. From there they can make their trip to Saudi Arabia for the Haj.
Also on Tuesday, A blast has killed at least one Thai anti-government protester and wounded 22 others at Bangkok's Don Mueang domestic airport, emergency officials have said.
A report on the BBC website said a grenade had been fired at the domestic hub, which is occupied by the People's Alliance for Democracy.
(UPDATE)
Thai anti-government protesters have agreed to end their occupation of Bangkok's airports, allowing thousands of stranded tourists to leave.
Passenger flights from the main international airport could resume as soon as 4 December, say correspondents.
Protests had shut down Thailand's two main airports for more than a week.
The court ruling follows months of opposition protests, including a week-old siege of Bangkok international airport and sparked angry counter-protests by Prime Minister Wongsawat's supporters outside the court.
The court was hearing into vote-rigging charges leveled against the People Power Party's coalition headed by Wongsawat.
At the Suvarnabhumi international airport, jubilant PAD activists celebrated the landmark ruling but vowed to maintain a blockade of the airport until they were convinced that the ruling coalition would not simply return under another name.
Passenger flights remained grounded, but cargo, military and emergency flights resumed Tuesday afternoon at the airport, said media reports quoting airport officials.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Wongsawat loyalists, who earlier termed the vote-rigging case a “concealed coup,” staged angry counter-protests outside the court following the decision.
The blockade at the Suvarnabhumi international effectuated by anti-governmment protesters started on November 25, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and caught in the midst of the country’s deteriorating political climate.
"We wish we hadn't come here at all," Keri Gannam, a visitor from the United States, who was honeymooning in Thailand was quoted by CNN as saying. "It's just stressful. It's taken away everything... I'm supposed to have job interviews. I missed them."
"Money isn't flowing in for us," added her husband, Andy. "And we came here to take a couple of relaxing weeks -- something both of us had earned. And it's turned out being a disaster, basically."
In a humanitarian mood after the judgment PAD activists allowed convoy of buses, carrying Muslim pilgrims stranded at Suvarnabhumi since last Tuesday, to leave for a naval base. From there they can make their trip to Saudi Arabia for the Haj.
Also on Tuesday, A blast has killed at least one Thai anti-government protester and wounded 22 others at Bangkok's Don Mueang domestic airport, emergency officials have said.
A report on the BBC website said a grenade had been fired at the domestic hub, which is occupied by the People's Alliance for Democracy.
(UPDATE)
Thai anti-government protesters have agreed to end their occupation of Bangkok's airports, allowing thousands of stranded tourists to leave.
Passenger flights from the main international airport could resume as soon as 4 December, say correspondents.
Protests had shut down Thailand's two main airports for more than a week.
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