Thailand's army chief told the elected government on Wednesday to step down and call a snap election as a way out of a deepening political crisis. At a news conference in Bangkok, Anupong Paochinda also told the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest movement to withdraw from Bangkok's international airport and cease its anti-government campaign. Anti-government protesters had tightened their grip over the airport on Wednesday, causing chaos in the terminal and triggering speculation of imminent intervention by the military. The leader of the protesters, Sondhi Limthongul, had rejected a government offer of talks to end the airport blockade.