Readers: 278
Publisher: petrica
Date added: 13 Apr 2009
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd is on his way back to Australia after a summit he was to attend in Thailand was stormed by thousands of protesters.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit was postponed after protesters clad in red and black and carrying weapons stormed the venue in Pattaya.
A state of emergency has been declared, according to reports.
A spokesperson for Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Mr Rudd was returning to Australia.
The Australian Government has been informed by the Government of Thailand that the East Asia Summit has been postponed, the spokesperson said.
As a result, the Australian Prime Minister is now returning to Australia.
Leaders from China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand had been scheduled to attend the summit.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key delayed his travel after news of the protests.
The protesters are calling for the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
A photojournalist based in Thailand reported on Twitter that there had been gunfire.
2 red shirt protesters have been taken to hospital suffering gunshot wounds in Pattaya, said @photo_journ.
Reporters at the scene said military troops made no attempt to stopthe invasion, but there had been clashes between red shirts andpro-government rivals.
The protesters said they would occupy the venue until Mr Abhisit stepped down.
Other world leaders were evacuated from the building by helicopter.
Topics to be discussed at the summit had included the global financial crisis and North Koreas recent missile launch.
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