TUE NOV 25 2008 — As of November 30, 2008, more than 100,000 travellers — both Thai and foreign — have had flights cancelled since the occupation of Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday. People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) members armed with clubs, iron bars and knives, some wearing black balaclavas, entered the terminal, affecting tens of thousands of travelers. Armed PAD protesters also forced their way into the control tower, demanding the flight plan for Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat’s return from the APEC summit in Peru.

Three explosions at 4:30 AM November 26 outside the Suvarnbumi passenger terminal, and a fourth explosion was reported at 6 AM. Several people were injured.

Reports that PAD is paying people to serve as human shields, paying extra for parents bringing babies and children.

On the night of November 26 2008, Don Mueang Airport was seized by the People’s Alliance for Democracy. A bomb exploded near the main entrance just before 4:00 a.m. on November 30, 2008. Gunshots also heard at the airport. No injuries reported.

Armed PAD forces known as “Srivichai Warriors” also seized a government television broadcaster as well as several government ministries.

See also …
Wikipedia: People’s Alliance for Democracy

Video of police surrounding a house on Forrest Avenue while peacefully ending a domestic conflict involving a gun threat (High quality, normal quality/easier download here).

Arlington Heights Police responded to a call for help for a domestic gun threat in the 300 block of South Forrest Avenue about 3:00 p.m. Saturday. A short standoff occurred while police, family and neighbors waited for a male to exit the house unarmed with his hands in the air.

The Arlington Heights Police cleared Forrest Avenue in the vicinity of the house and evacuated Evergreen Park across the street when the man did not immediately comply with police requests to come out of the house. Standing by in force with a police armored shield, police asked the male to exit the house with his hands up. Apparently he was in the house alone, and the person that was threatened was able to exit the house.

Neighbors on Forrest Avenue and neighbors on Gibbons Avenue with a view across Evergreen Park, watched as police, some with guns drawn, setup a protective perimeter around the house. The street was eerily quiet as neighbors watched silently — many were putting up Christmas decorations down the street. Although the police were ready with force, they successfully negotiated with a male inside the house. When the male, who appeared to be in his twenties, exited the house, he was told to walk backwards into the front yard of a house next door. The suspect was then told to drop to his knees and police were able to handcuff the man peacefully. He was then taken into custody and placed in a police squad car and taken to the Arlington Heights Police headquarters.

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