Thai PM says not to cancel summits amid protest

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-10 17:03

PATTAYA, Thailand -- Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban pledged Friday afternoon that the government will ensure security for the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits to proceed as planned.

In a statement issued by Suthep Friday afternoon on the current political situation in the country, he said the meeting will proceed as scheduled despite anti-government protests.

Thai PM says not to cancel summits amid protest

Supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra force through riot policemen near the venue of the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Pattaya April 10, 2009. [Agencies]

The Royal Cliff Beach Resort, the venue of the 14th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Pattaya,was besieged by at least 2, 000 pro-Thaksin "red-shirt" protesters who are at the gate of the luxury hotel and within 200 meters of the convention hall.

Suthep reiterated the need to open the way for the leaders to enter the meeting venue, noting that the Thai authorities will exercise utmost restraint and try to resolve the situation through negotiation.

The deputy prime minister also said that he is ready to talk with the demonstrators on their demands. He reaffirmed the government's determination to ensure the ASEAN SUMMIT AND Related summits, scheduled to begin Friday night with the Informal Dinner among the ASEAN leaders, proceed successfully.

Government leaders are on their way to the Summit. They are scheduled to arrive at U-Tapao airport before proceeding by motorcade to the meeting.

So far at present time, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein have already arrived in Pattaya for the meeting.

Earlier in the morning, around 100 Thai anti-government protesters broke through an army cordon and marched towards the hotel.

The protesters shouted slogans against current premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, demanding him to step down and dissolve the House." Abhisit get out! If this government does not accept our demands we will not go home," shouted the protesters.

In Bangkok, traffic turmoil continued with protesters continuing to occupy the Victory Monument.

Protesters have blocked Sukhumvit 71 and a Vibhavadi highway- Suthisarn Road junction. Protesters have retreated from the Democracy Monument to the main rally site in front of Government House.

Police armed with shields reported heavy traffic jams on several roads but the situation has not been as severe as Thursday.