Thailand urged to assist Britons

Pro-government protesters gathered in Bangkok to support the prime minister

Thailand has been "strongly urged" by the UK government to help the thousands of Britons trapped in the country by the on-going anti-government protests.

Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell said he asked officials to let charter flights land at military airports to help tourists struggling to get home.

But he said the UK would not follow the lead of Spain and Australia and send planes to evacuate its citizens.

Bangkok's two main airports are still occupied by protesters and remain shut.

Mr Rammell told the BBC he had urged the Thai ambassador to take action to help stranded Britons reach airports that are still operating safely.

But he said while using government-chartered flights to bring people home may help the situation, it was not a solution.

"The key issue is the fact the two airports in Bangkok are closed and therefore you've effectively got planes stacking up and not being able to get slots," he said.

Prescription problems

A Foreign Office spokesman said that some British nationals had been able to fly out of Thailand, "but not in the necessary numbers".

Consultations with airlines and Thai authorities were being stepped up to try to enable people to travel in greater numbers from other airports, such as Chang Mai, he said.

I've seen some very sensational headlines, mostly on the internet, about fears for Britons trapped in Thailand... it's perfectly safe Businessman Mick Granger

The spokesman said that much of Bangkok remained calm, adding the UK government's priority remained the welfare of British nationals.

British Embassy staff are paying regular visits to those stranded, offering consular assistance including transferring money from the UK and getting extra supplies of prescription medicine.

Those wishing to travel to or from Bangkok were urged to monitor travel advice and to stay in contact with their tour operator or airline.

'Perfectly safe'

Stranded businessman Mick Granger, from Essex, told the BBC Britons were in "no danger".

He said: "I've seen some very sensational headlines, mostly on the internet, about fears for Britons trapped in Thailand... it's perfectly safe."

Mr Granger, who was on a business trip, said he planned to get a train out to the Lao border on Tuesday.

Farah Uddin flew out of Thailand from U-Tapao airport - about 90 mile south east of Bangkok, which also serves as a base for the Thai air force.

U-Tapao Airport is being used to fly some people out of Thailand

"There were so many people there and there was no order," Mr Uddin told the BBC.

"There was only one x-ray machine and the line for that was very long. People were pushing and cutting into the line because they were afraid of missing their flights.

"However, all the planes were delayed by at least two hours to make sure all the passengers were able to get on."

Dundee firefighter Chris Black said he had been told it could be three or four days before he could get on a flight back to the UK.

"The airline office was chaos with over 100 people of all nationalities trying to get a flight home," he told the BBC.

"The airline has to clear the backlog. It is doing its best though and the mood on the streets of Bangkok among the locals is that the police need to end the crisis now.

"There is a lot of anxiety here as high season starts next week and a lot in the tourist industry are worried about their jobs."

'Retaliation'

Meanwhile, tensions in Bangkok have risen, with fears of clashes between pro- and anti-government groups after a grenade attack on Saturday night.

Around 50 people were injured - three seriously - in the late-night attack on protesters occupying a government compound.

It is widely thought to be retaliation for the airport occupation, said the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.

The closures have hit Thailand's tourist industry hard, with the loss of millions of pounds of revenue.

It is thought some 100,000 passengers remain stranded in the Thai capital.