BANGKOK, Nov. 29 -- Thai police say they will use force to eject thousands of anti-government protesters from Bangkok's two major airports if they don't disperse.

A state of emergency at the Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports declared by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has raised the stakes in the struggle against the People's Alliance for Democracy protesters, who are seeking the ouster of the Thai government and have effectively choked off the country's lucrative tourist trade with the airport seizures, the Bangkok Post reported Saturday.

"All of those who violate law will be prosecuted both in criminal and civil cases," an officer using a megaphone told protesters at Don Mueang airport late Friday.

Protest leaders, however, have vowed to fight police "to the death" if they attempt to clear the airports, sparking fears a possibly bloody confrontation.

After police said Thursday they would attempt to negotiate with the protesters, Somchai fired the national police chief Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwanbut, moving him to an inactive post, and replaced him with the police inspector-general, Maj. Gen. Prateep Tanprasert, the Post said. (UPI)