Thai court convicts 'Yellow Shirt' protesters

BANGKOK (AP) -- A Thai court has ordered prison terms for 79 members of the right-wing "Yellow Shirt" movement who stormed a state television station two years ago.

Thursday's convictions marked the first major court ruling against members of the People's Alliance for Democracy. The group is best known for seizing a government compound and Bangkok's two airports in 2008 in a bid to bring down the government allied with deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Leaders of the airport takeover have never been prosecuted, leading to growing complaints from the rival "Red Shirt" protesters that they were spared because of support from the monarchy and ruling elite.

Street clashes between the "Red Shirts" and the military left more than 90 people dead earlier this year.