THAILAND'S government has agreed to declare a state of emergency at two Bangkok airports occupied by protesters, as an escalating political crisis set off swirling rumours of a coup.

A Qantas flight from Singapore to Brisbane has made an emergency landing after developing what the airline says was a minor technical problem.

MANILA, Philippines - A special Philippine Airlines flight is set to leave early Monday afternoon for Chiang Mai, Thailand to fly home about 200 Filipinos stranded by the political turmoil there that has closed the main airports in Bangkok for nearly a week.