Thailand canceled a regional leaders’ summit for a second time after thousands of anti- government protesters stormed the venue, embarrassing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and challenging his grip on power.
Leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations had been scheduled to meet with heads of states from China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and Japan today and tomorrow. Abhisit declared a state of emergency in the resort city of Pattaya to ensure participants could depart safely. Some leaders were evacuated by helicopter.
The summit’s collapse deals a blow to Abhisit, 44, who touted his ability to host the meeting as a sign he had restored normalcy to the country after protesters who supported him closed Bangkok’s airports last year in an attempt to force out the previous government. The summit already had been delayed from December because of political turmoil then.
More at bloomberg.com
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