Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters smashed their way into a summit of Asian leaders, forcing the country's embattled government to postpone the entire meeting indefinitely.
Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in the resort of Pattaya after chaos erupted at the summit, which was supposed to discuss the global financial crisis and North Korea's rocket launch.
However, the state of emergency was lifted later tonight after top Asian leaders, including Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, left the city safely and the protesters have since retreated.
Choppers airlifted dignitaries from the roof of the luxury hotel venue after the red-shirted supporters of ousted Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra breached police lines, broke down glass doors and streamed into the building unopposed.
The indefinite postponement of the summit piles more pressure on British-born Abhisit, who has pledged that his four-month-old government will heal years of political turmoil since Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 coup.
"The government has a duty to take care of the leaders, who will depart from Thailand," Abhisit said in a sombre nationwide address broadcast live across all Thai television channels.
(Source: Malaysiakini)
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