ASEAN related summits cancelled due to political unrest

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-12-2009 10:12

Thailand's anti-government protesters have stormed the ASEAN summit venue in Pattaya, prompting the immediate cancellation of all related meetings. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in the city, but revoked it six hours later.

Anti-government "red-shirted" protestors break into the ASEAN  related summits venue in Pattaya, Thailand, April 11, 2009. The ASEAN related summits scheduled on April 10-12 have been canceled because of security reason, the Thai government  announced here Saturday.(Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

Over one-thousand anti-government protesters stormed a convention center where Asian leaders were to meet on the weekend.

Thailand's government had to cancel all ASEAN-related summits due to security concerns. The Asian leaders leaders were airlifted by helicopter from Pattaya.

Thailand's Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban said, "We have apologized to all the Asian leaders and we decided to make the emergency decree to use the power to tackle the red-shirt demonstrators and ensure the safe departure of all the leaders."

On Saturday evening, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva lifted a six-hour state of emergency in Pattaya, saying all Asian leaders had left safely.