| |
PATTAYA, Thailand - At least 1,000 Thai anti-government protesters stormed a building hosting a high-profile summit of Asian leaders on Saturday, AFP reporters said.
Red-shirted demonstrators loyal to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra breached police lines, broke through glass doors and streamed into the media centre of the venue in the beach resort of Pattaya.
They hooted horns and chanted slogans against the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, without any apparent attempt by security forces to remove them.
Reporters from global media watched as hordes of cheering protesters filed down escalators in the plush Royal Cliff Beach Resort hotel and then headed to the area where delegates are due to meet later.
The protesters had earlier caused the postponement of several key meetings at the summit of the Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
Several protesters had cuts on their legs, apparently caused by glass from the smashed doors.
The raid on the venue came despite the presence of hundreds of troops in camouflage uniforms and police who brandished riot shields and batons. - AFP/vm
|
