Protesters Converge on Asean Summit in Thailand

by Rachel Nixon | April 9, 2009 at 10:09 pm

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Anti-government protesters in Thailand have said they will blockade a hotel in Pattaya where Asian heads of state are set to meet for the Asean summit.

The protesters are supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was deposed in 2006.

The new move follows three days of huge protests in the Thai capital, Bangkok, calling on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call new polls.

Mr Abhisit declared Friday a public holiday to help cope with the protests.

"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.

"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.

The prime minister came to power after a court ruled that the previous government led by Thaksin allies was illegal.

He has refused to quit and said protesters are free to hold peaceful demonstrations.

However the Asean summit which gathers 10 nations, has raised the stakes. The summit is expected to focus on the global economy.