Timeline of Thailand's political crisis

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.