Thai anti-government protesters forced the closure of three airports serving large tourist destinations, including Phuket, on Friday, in an escalation of their confrontation with the administration of Samak Sundaravej.

Sympathisers of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a coalition driven by a strong dislike for Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, blockaded access roads and marched on to runways at Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai airports, forcing authorities to close the facilities and stranding travellers.