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Arroyo spokesman: Thai airport chaos due to 'political immaturity'

Agence France-Presse | 11/26/2008 4:34 PM

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Philippines President Arroyo's spokesman suggested Wednesday that the chaos caused by protesters seizing control of Bangkok's international airport was down to Thailand's lack of "political maturity."

A similar crippling takeover of Manila airport would be "a very remote scenario" because "Thailand's condition is different from us," Arroyo spokesman Anthony Golez told reporters.

Asked to explain his comments, Golez said this was so "because our people have reached a high degree of political maturity whereby our people respect due process and the rule of law."

Both countries are founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Arroyo, who came to power in 2001 on the back of a middle class-backed military coup, escaped a fourth impeachment attempt on Wednesday when the House of Representatives justice committee threw out complaints about corruption and human rights abuses.

She has also faced down two attempts to unseat her by the military. Bangkok's international airport will remain closed until at least the end of Wednesday after anti-government protesters seized control of the facility, an air traffic control official there said.