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Thai PM declares lifting of state of emergency in Pattaya

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-11 22:13

PATTAYA -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday evening announced the lifting of the state of emergency in Pattaya, where ASEAN and related summits were earlier cancelled due to anti-government demonstrations.

Anti-government protestors leave the venue of the ASEAN summits in Pattaya, Thailand, April 11, 2009. The ASEAN related summits scheduled on April 10-12 have been canceled because of security reason, the Thai government announced here Saturday. [Xinhua]

"I announced to lift the state of emergency (in Chonburi), and peace will be restored quickly," Abhisit told a press conference at the media center for the summits at Royal Cliff hotel in Pattaya.

Special coverage:  14th ASEAN Summit Related readings:  Thailand declares emergency, cancels Asian summit  Thai protesters swarm into Asia summit media venue  Asia summit canceled; Thai protesters storm venue

Abhisit said he was sorry for what happened. He said Thai government had to ensure security of foreign leaders attending the summits, which is why the government resolved earlier on the day to declare a state of emergency over Chonburi province, where the beach resort city Pattaya is located. Now since the leaders had all safely left Pattaya, there was no need for the emergency decree any more.

The Thai PM said he has informed the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the situation here. The UN head earlier on the day issued a statement to cancel his trip to Pattaya for the ASEAN summits.

"Anyone who declared victory on this is the enemy of Thailand," said Abhisit, alluding to an announcement by the anti-government demonstrators, or known as "red-shirt" people to declare victory over the summits cancellation .

Some 2,000 red-shirt people besieged and broke into the summits venue in Pattaya on Saturday, prompting the Thai government to declare a state of emergency over Chonburi province and cancel the ASEAN related summits scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

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