One protester dies and 22 injured in Thai airport blast

A BOMB blast killed one anti-government protester and wounded 22 others at Bangkok's blockaded Don Muang airport last night.

It was reported that the explosion was caused by an M79 grenade, fired from a flyover near the airport, which has been occupied by the People's Alliance for Democracy since last Thursday, part of the escalating campaign to topple the six-party ruling coalition.

The explosion came hours before a ruling in a vote fraud case that could deal a crippling blow to the government.

An emergency services official said 17 of those wounded in the blast, which occurred shortly after midnight, had already been discharged from hospital.

Thai protesters were due to end a three-month occupation of the prime minister's office today to consolidate their grip on the international airport, which has also been blockaded for a week, increasing pressure on an economy dependent on tourism and exports.

The Constitutional Court is expected to order the disbanding of prime minister Somchai Wongsawat's People Power Party and two coalition partners.

If it does, Mr Somchai and other leaders would be barred from politics.