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Protesters approach Asean summit Thai protest breaks summit cordon
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of anti-government protesters have gathered in Pattaya, Thailand, as an Asian summit opens. Anti-government protesters in Thailand have broken through a police cordon to reach the venue for a summit of Asian leaders in the resort town of Pattaya.
The supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, deposed in a 2006 coup, say they will blockade a hotel where heads of state are to meet. Around 200 protesters, some on scooters and in pick-up trucks, pushed past riot police lines to reach the luxury hotel which will host this weekend's summit.
The new move follows three days of huge protests in the Thai capital, Bangkok, calling on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call new polls. They are demanding the government of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva step down.
Mr Abhisit declared Friday a public holiday to help cope with the protests. It follows three days of huge protests in the capital Bangkok.
"Abhisit get out! If this government does not accept our demands we will not go home," shouted protesters gathered near the summit venue in Pattaya. Mr Abhisit has been forced to declare Friday a public holiday to help cope with the protests.
"We will go peacefully to the hotel, we will not damage anything, any government property. But we have to show the world that this government is not democratic," protest leader Arismun Pongreungrong told AFP news agency. 'All means necessary'
The comment was a reference to the failure of Mr Abhisit's Democratic Party to win elections. Around 1,000 red-shirted supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a coup in 2006, moved to Pattaya after causing disruption in Bangkok earlier this week.
At least 200 were reported to have broken through police lines to get within 50m of the hotel, which is preparing to welcome 16 leaders for the Asean summit.
Police ready for demonstrations at the Asean summit in Pattaya, ThailandPolice ready for demonstrations at the Asean summit in Pattaya, Thailand
"Abhisit get out! If this government does not accept our demands we will not go home," the protesters shouted.
There was no violence, but hundreds of soldiers in riot gear were seen marching towards the venue.
A police commander said the protesters had been asked to leave "the restricted area".
"If we cannot negotiate with them we will use all means necessary to open the road (to the hotel) for the leaders and maintain international standards," Police Major General Pramote Patumwong told the AFP news agency.
Protest leader Arismun Pongreungrong earlier told AFP: "We will go peacefully to the hotel, we will not damage anything, any government property. But we have to show the world that this government is not democratic."
The comment was a reference to the failure of Mr Abhisit's Democratic Party to win elections.
He came to power when a court ruled the previous government led by allies of Mr Thaksin was illegal, after anti-Thaksin protesters had shut down the country's airport for eight days in December.He came to power when a court ruled the previous government led by allies of Mr Thaksin was illegal, after anti-Thaksin protesters had shut down the country's airport for eight days in December.
Summit Mr Thaksin's supporters in the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) accuse Mr Abhisit's government of being a puppet of the military.
High stakes
Mr Abhisit has refused demands to quit, and said protesters were free to express their views so long as they were peaceful.Mr Abhisit has refused demands to quit, and said protesters were free to express their views so long as they were peaceful.
But his hosting of a regional summit for the next three days has raised the stakes.
Security has been stepped up in Pattaya for the summit, which brings together the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
"Nothing untoward will happen to the leaders. We will make sure of that. We have to make sure the meeting can go on," said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.
Painting the protest red Profile: Abhisit Vejjajiva Painting the protest red Profile: Abhisit Vejjajiva
But his hosting of a regional summit for the next three days has raised the stakes.
The summit brings together the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
"Nothing untoward will happen to the leaders. We will make sure of that. We have to make sure the meeting can go on," said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban earlier.
This weekend's summit will focus on regional responses to the worsening global economy and will hear briefings from the heads of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank.This weekend's summit will focus on regional responses to the worsening global economy and will hear briefings from the heads of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank.
New tactics
The red-shirted protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) brought new tactics to their rallies on Thursday, blocking key junctions and enjoying the support of taxi drivers who blocked intersections.
The "political gridlock" as local media called it, affected thousands of commuters and prompted the government to threaten prosecution of protest leaders.
The UDD accuses Mr Abhisit's government of being a puppet of the military.
On Wednesday, they surrounded the home of an influential royal adviser in the capital.
They have accused Gen Prem Tinsulanonda of engineering the 2006 coup that removed Mr Thaksin from power.
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