Manila - The Philippine government on Wednesday urged its citizens to defer non-essential travel to Thailand as anti-government demonstrators seized the international airport in Bangkok.

Foreign department spokesman Claro Cristobal said Filipino travellers requiring assistance were advised to contact the Philippine embassy in Bangkok.

He said the travel advisory was issued "in consideration of the Filipino travelers' safety and convenience."

A diplomatic source said several Filipino passengers had been stranded in the Suvarnabhumi Airport late Tuesday. At least one plane of a Philippine carrier was forced to return to Manila without loading the passengers, the official added.

"I think the situation may take awhile and the protesters are planning to stay at the airport until Thai Prime Minister Somchai (Wongsawat) resigns," the official said.

The protesters took control of the airport's entrances late Tuesday in a bid to prevent the return of Somchai from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru. (dpa)