BANGKOK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of chanting protesters wearing yellow T-shirts and waving national flags have demonstrated on two consecutive days in what they say is an effort to topple the Thai government.

    Analysts say it would be no easy job to end the years-long political turmoil that has been marked by accusations and unceasing protests and that the turbulence will cause Thailand's economy additional disturbances. 　

Anti-government protesters gesture as they blocked the main road to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport November 25, 2008. Flight operations at Thailand's main international airport were disrupted on Tuesday night after hundreds of anti-government protesters stormed the terminal building.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

　

    CEASELESS PROTESTS

    Since late May, Bangkok has seen almost daily anti-government rallies led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) against two successive governments of the People's Power Party (PPP).

    The protesters have branded the PPP leaders as puppets of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006coup, and demand that they step down.

    Samak Sundaravej, the predecessor of incumbent Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, was forced to resign in September for breaching the Thai Constitution by taking payments for appearing on television cooking shows.

    However, Somchai's assumption of office apparently did not satisfy the opposition and demonstrations have not ebbed since.

    Simmering tensions flared up again on Oct. 7, when police and anti-government protesters engaged in clashes that killed two people and injured 400 others.

    The latest trouble came Tuesday when thousands of protesters swarmed Somchai's temporary headquarters at an abandoned airport in Bangkok.

    The blockade marked the second day of what the PAD describes as a "final showdown" with the government in their campaign to oust the Somchai administration.

    Chamlong Srimuang, the PAD core leader, has said the group is planning more intense protests and has vowed to topple the government by Wednesday. 　
　

Police officers stand guard as anti-government protesters blocked the main road at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport November 25, 2008. Flight operations at Thailand's main international airport were disrupted on Tuesday night after hundreds of anti-government protesters stormed the terminal building.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    DIM ECONOMIC GROWTH PROSPECTS

    In addition to paralyzing the government, the turbulence would further shake Thailand's economy, which has been struggling amidst the ongoing global financial crisis.

    Waves of scuffles, clashes and protests have paralyzed traffic and upset the services sectors, analysts say.

    In the third quarter, Thailand's export-driven economy grew at its slowest pace in more than three years, the country's National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has said.

    The board said that major services sectors such as manufacturing, hotels and restaurants, transportation and communications have reported slow growth.

    Thailand was at the center of the 1997 financial crisis that swept through most Southeast Asian markets and caused devastating economic damage.

    Against the backdrop of the current global financial crisis, the worst since the 1930s, Thailand's economic growth would be dim partially because of social instability caused by the continuous protests. 　 

Police officers stand guard at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport as anti-government protesters block the main road November 25, 2008. Flight operations at Thailand's main international airport were disrupted on Tuesday night after hundreds of anti-government protesters stormed the terminal building. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    IMMINENT SOLUTIONS POSSIBLE?

    In rejecting opposition accusations, Somchai has said that he would not resign and that his government was elected democratically.

    "The people are the ones who make decisions, because my government came from an election under the Constitution," the Thai News Agency quoted Somchai as saying.

    "Anyone who wanted to overthrow or resist government is a rebellion."

    Somchai also said that he would show the utmost restraint and hopes the stalemate could be ended through negotiations.

    Meanwhile, rumors of a military coup to topple the government were dismissed Tuesday when Thailand's army chief Anupong Paojindaruled out that possibility.

    Anupong said the armed services already had troops prepared to prevent anarchy or any kind of clashes.

    Given the hawkish stance of both sides, with neither showing any tendency to concede, an imminent solution for the turbulence would be no easy job, analysts say.

Four bombings rock Bangkok
   BANGKOK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- At least four rounds of bomb attacks rocked Bangkok early Wednesday, injuring at least 12 people, local media reported.

    The attacks, since 4:30 a.m. (2130 GMT Tuesday) to 6:30 a.m. (2330 GMT Tuesday) Wednesday, aimed at two main airports of Bangkokwhile three exploded at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and one blast at the Don Muang Airport. Full story

Bangkok in almost anarchy as confrontation upgrades

   BANGKOK, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The "City of Angles" on Tuesday was in chaos as anti-government protesters seized the temporary administration seat -- Don Mueang airport, clashed with pro-government taxi drivers, forcing the Cabinet to indefinitely postpone its weekly meeting.

    The anarchy turned violent when protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Tuesday evening clashed with a group of pro-government taxi drivers on Vibhavadi Road, leaving at least 11 injured. Two of the taxi drivers suffered gunshot wounds. Full story

Thai PM insists premiership despite protest

    BANGKOK, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat insists not to step down or dissolve the House of Representatives despite the latest rally staged by anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protestors, government spokesman Nattawut Saikua said Tuesday.

    Nattawut was quoted by The Nation news network as saying that the government would not yield to the undemocratic and unconstitutional attempt by the PAD to force it out of office. Full story

Anti- and pro-gov't protestors clash in Bangkok, 8 injured 

    BANGKOK, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- After several days of peaceful protest, the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) clashed with pro-government taxi drivers on Tuesday afternoon, injuring eight persons.

    According to local reports, some 20 PAD guards battled with a group of taxi drivers who support the government on the way to the Suvarnabhumi airport.

Thai army chief rules out coup rumor 

    BANGKOK, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's army chief Anupong Paojinda on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of a military coup to topple the government, explaining the coup could not solve problems.

    Anupong, who chairs the committee for monitoring political developments, said the army has prepared plans and security forcesto handle groups of anti-government protestors occupying different areas.

Thai anti-gov't leader vows to topple gov't by Wednesday 

    BANGKOK, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Chamlong Srimuang said on Monday protestors' march to seal off different locations in Bangkok on Monday is simply a prelude, as the group planned more intense coordinated protests on Tuesday and vowed to topple the government by Wednesday.

    On Monday, key PAD leaders declared victory after their mass protests at Parliament prompted the cancellation of Monday's joint session of the House of Representatives and Senate.

Anti-gov't protestors besiege Thai parliament complex

    BANGKOK, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- A scheduled Monday Parliament session was called off following thousands of anti-government protestors led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) began the besiege of the Parliament complex and other establishments in a showdown effort to bring the "Thaksin-proxy" government down.

    Parliament President Chai Chidchob had to make a phone announcement to cancel the joint House-Senate session originally planned to start at 9:30 a.m. (0230GMT) Monday.

Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat gestures during a meeting with Peru's President Alan Garcia at the government palace in Lima Nov. 24, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters, File Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat reviews the honor guard at the government palace in Lima Nov. 24, 2008.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>