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Thailand declares emergency, cancels Asian summit
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-11 17:38
It also scuttles a chance for the 16 regional leaders, including those from China, Japan and South Korea, to confer on ways to combat the global slump that has battered Asia's export-oriented economies. The protesters are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a 2006 military coup. They say Abhisit was not elected by the people and should step down so new elections can be held. "We want to tell Abhisit himself that this meeting cannot go on," protest leader Arisman Pongreungrong said after leading the mob into the convention hall. Abhisit, who has repeatedly refused to step down, went on national television and declared a state of emergency in the area surrounding the summit. "I am using my power as the prime minister to declare a state of emergency in the area of Pattaya and Chonburi," he said. The decree gives the military the right to restore order, allows authorities to suspend civil liberties, bans public gatherings of more than five people and bars the media from reporting news that "causes panic." |
