Thai protesters shut down airport

Hundreds of protesters have taken over the main departure terminal

Flights from Thailand's international airport have been suspended after hundreds of anti-government protesters stormed the building in Bangkok.

At least 3,000 passengers are said to be stranded at Suvarnabhumi airport, with all access roads blocked off.

The demonstrators say they now control the airport, and demand that airlines seek their direct permission to land.

It is the latest move in a campaign by the opposition People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to oust the government.

Hundreds of demonstrators, armed with sticks and baseball bats, stormed through police lines on Tuesday.

Airport director Serirat Prasutanon said operations had been "totally shut down" since early on Wednesday, and that 78 outbound and incoming flights had been affected.

Anyone who wants to overthrow or resist the government is attempting a rebellion Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat In pictures: Bangkok clashes Q&A: Bangkok protests

"We are trying to negotiate with them to allow outgoing passengers stranded by the protest to fly," he was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.

"The incident has damaged Thailand's reputation and its economy beyond repair."

One stranded tourist told the BBC: "I don't know what happened to my flight. They won't talk to us. I'm angry and sad, because I have two small children - they're sick, so we want to go home."

Some British holidaymakers are among those stranded in "no-man's land" at the airport, said a spokesman for the UK Foreign Office.

Having passed through immigration control, they are now stuck without planes to board.

The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the protest leaders initially hoped to intercept Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat as he returned from an overseas trip; however his flight will be diverted to another airport.

Now the PAD says it will keep the airport closed until Mr Somchai resigns.

Mr Somchai has said: "Anyone who wants to overthrow or resist the government is attempting a rebellion."

Thinly veiled tactic

It came as demonstrations in central Bangkok turned violent, leaving at least 11 people injured.