Protesters face riot policemen as they come close to the airport in Surat Thani September 4, 2013. Tens of thousands of Thai rubber farmers protesting against a sharp drop in prices escalated protests across southern Thailand on Wednesday, cutting off access to large swathes of the region by blocking roads leading to tourist and commercial hubs. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha (THAILAND - Tags: BUSINESS CIVIL UNREST POLITICS AGRICULTURE)