BANGKOK -- The European Union urged protesters Saturday to vacate Bangkok's airports, saying the rallies which have left more than 100,000 passengers stranded were "seriously damaging" Thailand's image.

A statement from the EU ambassadors in the Thai capital called on all parties to resolve the kingdom's political crisis peacefully and in line with democratic institutions but it focused on the acts of the demonstrators.

"While respecting the right of protesting and without interfering in any way with the internal political debate in Thailand, the EU considers that these actions are totally inappropriate," the statement said.

"They are seriously damaging the international image of Thailand."

The statement said more than 100,000 passengers had been left stranded by the anti-government protests.

The ambassadors "urge the protesters to evacuate the airports peacefully without delay in order to avoid a major consular crisis and its economic consequences for Thailand", the statement added.

A group called the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) launched a campaign in May to topple the democratically elected government, saying it was a puppet of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The PAD occupied the cabinet offices in Bangkok in August but took their protests to the world stage earlier this week by seizing Suvarnabhumi international airport and the smaller Mueang domestic hub.

Thai premier Somchai Wongsawat has declared a state of emergency at both airports and rejected calls from the army chief to hold snap elections. Police have yet to take any action to drive out the protesters.

"We call all parties in Thailand to take steps to resolve the crisis and restore public order, respecting the rule of law and country's democratic institutions," the EU statement said.