The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Bangkok

Anti-government protesters occupying Thailand's main airport abducted a policeman and pushed others back from a checkpoint Saturday, escalating tensions in a standoff that has virtually paralyzed the government.

The protesters, who have occupied the prime minister's compound since late August, upped the stakes this week by overrunning Bangkok's international and domestic aiports and bringing them to a halt in their campaign to oust the elected government. The confrontation, severing the capital from civilian air traffic, has taken a heavy toll on Thailand's economy and reputation. According to Thai media reports some 100,000 tourists are stranded, and schedules of airlines around the world have been disrupted. At the international airport, Associated Press reporters saw one policeman being grabbed Saturday at a checkpoint by three protesters, forcibly put in a vehicle, and driven away toward areas controlled by the demonstrators.