Anti-government protesters shut down Bangkok's international airport, officials tell CNN. （updated 13 minutes ago）

Protesters shut down Bangkok airport

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Bangkok's main airport has closed after it was targeted by anti-government protesters, reports said Tuesday.

The Associated Press said all departing flights were canceled from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport as protesters surged into the main terminal building.

Earlier eight people were injured in an exchange of gunfire between pro and anti-government protesters, police said. No one was killed in the incident.

The clash happened when the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy was mobilizing supporters near Don Muang Airport, which the government is using as its temporary office.

The PAD ran into a pro-government group, the two sides exchanged abusive words, and the pro-government group threw rocks into the PAD crowd, the police official said, prompting the brief exchange of gunfire.

The People's Alliance for Democracy has been leading protests against the government since May. Protesters surrounded the parliament building on Monday, forcing lawmakers to postpone their session.

The PAD claims the government is a front for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin left Thailand after a 2006 bloodless coup but returned after the People Power Party won elections in December 2007. He left again in August this year before he was to face trial on corruption charges.

The protesters want Thaksin to return and stand trial.