Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Thai Protesters Disrupt Asian Summit

Demonstrators want to show world the flaws in their government

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 10, 2009 10:22 AM CDT

(Newser) – Hundreds of demonstrators in the Thai tourist town of Pattaya blocked the entrance to the building hosting an East Asian summit meeting today, giving foreign leaders a firsthand look at the country’s political schism. Economic concerns weighed heavily with the protesters, most supporters of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra; one told the New York Times current PM Abhisit Vejjajiva leads a “government of thieves.”

Protests have risen as the economy worsens and jobs disappear, and demonstrations have peaked in the past week, with tens of thousands of people marching in Bangkok. Although the crowd dispersed in the evening after military and police presence increased, a protest leader promises to return when the summit continues tomorrow: “Our goal is to fight the government—wherever they go, we will go.”

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

An anti-government protester and supporter of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra reacts with a heart-shape clapper during a protest outside the government house in Bangkok. (AP Photo)

Anti-government protesters and supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra react to activities on the stage during a protest today. (AP Photo)

Protesters who brought areas of the Thai capital to a standstill in a push to oust the government say they will stage demonstrations at a summit of 16 Asian nations at a beachside resort. (AP Photo)

Thai soldiers in riot gear watch demonstrators as they gather for a protest outside the main entrance to the 14th ASEAN Summit in Pattaya, Thailand, today. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We are here for democracy. We must stay until the prime minister resigns. We do not want violence. We do not have weapons. - Natcha Kingkalong, a spa owner

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Iranian Man Blows Off Own Leg in Thai Bombing

Bangkok rocked by series of explosions

(NEWSER) - An Iranian man blew his own leg off in Bangkok today, as a series of explosions rocked the Thai capital, the New York Times reports. The first blast occurred in the house the man was renting in a residential neighborhood; witnesses say three men who appeared to be foreigners ran from the house after its roof was torn off, including the man who was later injured. He was disoriented and threw hand grenades at a taxi and at police officers, but the second bomb he attempted to lob failed to reach the officers and instead took his leg off. Three Thai people and the taxi driver suffered minor injuries in the explosions. More»

US Warns of Possible Terrorist Attack in Bangkok

Citizens urged to be cautious in tourist areas

(NEWSER) - US citizens visiting Thailand were warned today that terrorists may be planning attacks on tourist areas in Bangkok "in the near future," the Bangkok Post reports. A message from the US embassy urges citizens "to exercise caution when visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in Bangkok," and "to keep a low profile in public areas." More»

Thai Death Toll Passes 500

Bangkok orders new evacuations

(AP) - The nationwide death toll from Thailand's worst floods in half a century climbed past 500 today, as the polluted black water continued its march into Bangkok and authorities ordered a spate of new evacuations in the sprawling capital. Today, Bangkok Gov. Sukhumbhand Paribatra ordered another wave of evacuations in several neighborhoods in the west and east. In all, evacuations have been ordered in nine of the capital's 50 districts. Seven others are partially inundated and residents in parts of those have also been told to leave. More»

Flood Waters Converge on Downtown Bangkok

As government tries to come up with plans to prevent a repeat

(NEWSER) - Bangkok residents are growing increasingly restless as floodwaters continue to rise through city streets. Officials are trying to drain the waters through waterways in the city’s eastern and western areas, but that’s prompted protests from residents who say their homes are being sacrificed to protect ritzier downtown properties like luxury hotels and shopping malls, the AFP reports. So far, the center of the city is still dry. More»

Tens of Thousands Flee Bangkok Floods

Entire city could be flooded by the weekend

(AP) - Residents are pouring out of Bangkok by bus, plane and train, heeding government warnings to use a special five-day holiday to evacuate parts of the flood-threatened metropolis before a weekend deluge rushes through the city. The evacuation warning applied to only three of Bangkok's 50 districts, but the government has acknowledged that the entire city of 9 million could flood in the coming days. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Thai Protesters Disrupt Asian Summit