Anti-government militants in Bangkok have begun to leave Government House, which they have occupied since August, after grenade attacks in the weekend wounded 50, some critically.

The protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are now moving to Bangkok's airports to reinforce the crippling blockade that has brought the country to a standstill.

"It's likely that the red (pro-government supporters) will attack from now until December 5," Ronayos Wela, PAD spokesman told The Times, referring to the King's birthday this month, thought to be a circuit-breaker for the political impasse which has crippled Thailand.

"There could be more grenades so the PAD leaders told the civilians to move to the airport," he said.

Since PAD supporters stormed Bangkok's main Suvarnabhumi airport last Tuesday, and the smaller Don Muang shortly afterwards, they have stranded tens of thousands of foreign tourists and devastated Thailand's tourist industry.

The militants have sworn to continue their airport blockade until the government resigns, and have said they are willing to fight to the death.

The organisation insists the retreat of around 1000 PAD supporters from Government House does not represent a softening in their stance.

However today they agreed to 'liberate' planes to help evacuate stranded tourists.

Empty airplanes have begun to fly from Suvarnabhumi to regional airports, and to a naval base,where thousands of stranded foreign tourists are waiting to get home.

So far 37 planes have left Suvanarabhumi. A total of 88 have been sitting on the tarmac for the last week.

A PAD spokesman, Winner Dachpian, said the decision had been made to liberate the planes because the PAD had never been intended to wreck the plans of foreign tourists.

"We apologise for the inconvenience," he told The Times. "This is something that has evolved, a way to pressure the government. We didn't think it would last more than 24 hours."

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