Thailand/Asean summit

Asian leaders airlifted out of Pattaya as Asean summit called off

Article published on the 2009-04-11 Latest update 2009-04-11 10:53 TU

A military helicopter takes off from the Asean summit venue in Pattaya
(Photo: Reuters)

The leaders of several south-east Asian countries were airlifted out of the Thai seaside resort of Pattaya on Saturday after anti-government protesters stormed the swish hotel where they were meeting. The Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) summit has been cancelled and a state of emergency declared in Pattaya and the surrounding province.

The leaders of the red-shirted demonstrators told them to disperse, claiming that they had scored a victory against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his government.

"The war in Pattaya was over now. Since we have gained victory, all red-shirted people in Pattaya will return to join the rally in front of the Government House," protest organiser Natthawut Saikua said, according to The Nation newspaper.

Another protest leader Arisamun Pongruanron dubbed Abhisit "a killer and a liar", claiming that two taxi drivers were shot and seriously injured on Saturday morning and repeating claims that the government has no legitimacy.

Abhisit was the first of the south-east Asian politicians to be flown out of town in military helicopters, followed by the leaders of the Philippines, Myanmar and Vietnam. Others left by road and all were evacuated within hours.

The demonstrators broke into the luxury hotel where the Asean and related summits were taking place, smashing through glass doors and barging past soldiers and riot police.

Hotel staff cleared the restaurants and led bikini-clad tourists out of the swimming pool.

Abhisit quickly appeared on live television to declare that the 16-nation summit was off and declaring the state of emergency.

His government came to power after mass demonstrations by the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy movement.