Thousands of troops fired warning shots and tear gas at anti-government protesters rampaging across Bangkok today, forcing demonstrators to regroup for what organisers said would be a “final stand”.

More than 300,000 travellers were today stranded in Thailand, trapped in the siege of Bangkok’s two airports by anti-government demonstrators.

Thailand’s prime minister refused to step down tonight despite protesters bringing the country’s biggest airport to a standstill and a call for new elections from the army’s head.