Thailand

Prime Minister threatens arrests as protesters gather outside Asean summit

Article published on the 2009-04-10 Latest update 2009-04-10 08:05 TU

Supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra block the main road during an anti-government protest at the Victory monument in Bangkok on Thursday
(Photo: Reuters)

The government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva threatened on Friday to arrest protest leaders. Abhisit says those leading the protests cannot be reasoned with and has threatened to arrest them.

Demonstrations continued on Thursday in Bangkok. About 100 taxi drivers blocked an intersection in the capital, bringing traffic to a standstill for several hours.

Protesters moved to the resort town of Pattaya on Friday where Asian leaders are gathering for a summit that will bring together the ten member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean).

Abhisit said late Thursday that security had been increased ahead for the summit. The estimated 700 supporters of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra who have gathered in Pattaya say they will march to the hotel where the summit is being held.

One leader of the protesters in Pattaya said they wanted to show the world that "this government is not democratic".

Protests have been taking place since Wednesday in the biggest rallies this year. Abhisit came to power in December after Thaksin's allies were removed from government by a court order.