source : AP

Thailand’s long-running political conflict reached another watershed Tuesday, as a court forced the prime minister from office. The anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy declared victory following the ruling and said it would end its occupation of the capital’s two airports.

Feb. 9, 2001

_Thaksin Shinawatra, a telecommunications mogul, is elected prime minister.

November 2005

_Weekly anti-Thaksin rallies begin, drawing thousands of people accusing the government of corruption, abuse of power, and suppressing free speech.

Sept. 19, 2006

_Thailand’s military stages bloodless coup while Thaksin is in New York.

December 2007

_The People’s Power Party, a proxy for Thaksin’s disbanded party, easily wins the top number of seats in a general election and goes on to lead a six-party coalition that chooses Samak Sundaravej as prime minister.

May 2008

_The People’s Alliance for Democracy, comprising middle class business people and retirees, monarchists and opponents of globalization, launches protests against Samak, who it accuses of being Thaksin’s puppet. It demands Samak resign.

Aug. 26

_The protest alliance raids a government-controlled television station and launches protests outside several government ministries. Tens of thousands of protesters take over the prime minister’s compound.

Sept. 9

_Samak is removed from office after a court rules his appearance on a TV cooking show constituted a conflict of interest.

Sept. 17

_Parliament elects Somchai Wongsawat prime minister. Protesters say Somchai is also Thaksin’s puppet and vow to stay at Government House until he leaves office.

Oct. 7

_Police and protesters clash after authorities try to clear the streets around Parliament to allow in lawmakers. One person is killed and hundreds injured.

Oct. 21

_Thaksin is sentenced to two years in jail for breaking a conflict-of-interest law, but has already fled back to London exile, claiming he cannot get a fair trial.

Nov. 20

_A grenade explodes at the prime minister’s offices where protesters are camped out, killing one person and wounding more than 20.

Nov. 25

_Members of the protest alliance take over Bangkok’s main Suvarnabhumi airport, halting all flights and stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers. The city’s Don Muang domestic airport is occupied the next day.

Dec. 2

_Somchai’s party is found guilty of electoral fraud and dissolved. Somchai is barred from politics for five years and Deputy Prime Minister Chaowarat Chandeerakul becomes acting prime minister. Anti-government protesters declare victory and say they will vacate the airports.