ROME - THE Italian government set up a crisis cell on Wednesday to plan how to help a group of around 70 nationals who are stuck in Thailand after anti-government protests forced the closure of Bangkok airport.

Foreign Minister Franco Frattini was being kept fully updated on events, said a statement from his ministry, adding that Italians on holiday in Thailand should get in contact with the embassy in Bangkok.

Thousands of foreign tourists have been left stranded in Bangkok after protestors trying to topple Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat stormed the new three-billion-dollar Suvarnabhumi Airport.