'This is disappointing for all heads of government,' Mr Rudd told reporters after returning to Australia. -- PHOTO: AFPApril 12, 2009
AFP
Chaos in Pattaya
MELBOURNE - AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Sunday he was disappointed protesters in Thailand had forced the cancellation of a major Asian summit, saying there were 'deep problems' in the host nation.
Mr Rudd was en route to the summit in the beach resort of Pattaya Saturday when his plane was forced to divert mid-flight after anti-government protesters smashed their way into the event venue.
The meeting, at which Mr Rudd would have held important talks on the global financial crisis, was cancelled amid extraordinary scenes of foreign leaders being plucked by helicopter from the roof of their luxury hotel.
'This is disappointing for all heads of government,' Mr Rudd told reporters after returning to Australia.
'There's important business to discuss on the future of the regional economy given the impact of the global economic recession. And we'll have to, of course, reconvene this meeting at a later time.' Mr Rudd said he hoped Thailand would return to political normality soon.
'Obviously there are deep problems in Thai domestic politics at present,' he said.
'I think all friends of Thailand want to see a return to political normality in the kingdom of Thailand.
'It's going to be important for the future for that to occur and we all urge all parties to adhere to peaceful, democratic means to return Thai politics to normal.' Rudd also urged Australians in Thailand to heed warnings in a government travel advisory issued after the latest unrest.
The advisory warns visitors to stay away from political demonstrations and rallies.
Mr Rudd was en route to the summit in the beach resort of Pattaya Saturday when his plane was forced to divert mid-flight after anti-government protesters smashed their way into the event venue.
The meeting, at which Mr Rudd would have held important talks on the global financial crisis, was cancelled amid extraordinary scenes of foreign leaders being plucked by helicopter from the roof of their luxury hotel.
'This is disappointing for all heads of government,' Mr Rudd told reporters after returning to Australia.
'There's important business to discuss on the future of the regional economy given the impact of the global economic recession. And we'll have to, of course, reconvene this meeting at a later time.' Mr Rudd said he hoped Thailand would return to political normality soon.
'Obviously there are deep problems in Thai domestic politics at present,' he said.
'I think all friends of Thailand want to see a return to political normality in the kingdom of Thailand.
'It's going to be important for the future for that to occur and we all urge all parties to adhere to peaceful, democratic means to return Thai politics to normal.' Rudd also urged Australians in Thailand to heed warnings in a government travel advisory issued after the latest unrest.
The advisory warns visitors to stay away from political demonstrations and rallies.
11 comments:
shame to be SIAM :)
This is nothing new to the Thais. Remember that one time the protesters occupied the two main airports in Bangkok. Well the same thing happened here at the Asian summit meeting in Pattaya. Something like this only happened in Thailand not anywhere in the world. The Thai cops can not stop them. Who else can? NO BODY....
Remembered the former Yugoslavia. Thailand will be the next. Thai will have the problems with other Ethnics, because they will stand for their freedom.
sin for the Siams!
To all brother in YALA"Southern" kept up the fight! your freedom must prevail, Thailand is full of sinner, the dark side is covering Thailand! there will be no peace in Thailand! stop abusing my brother and sister in the South, and stop being too greedy, and must repent from your sins...
To all my khmer brother and sister in Thailand, rise up and fight for our freedom! Thailand is full of sinner, God curse Thailand!!
Thailand is doom!
More body bags for Siamese Sinner!
The Thai King and military are in favor of a half naked democracy. Thaksin and his friends elected by majority of the people were not allowed to run the country. Really Hun Sen is more democratic than Abhisit of Thailand because Hun Sen was eleceted by the majority of Khmer, and he is running the government.
They should give up ASEAN Chairmanship and let other ASEAN country to host the meeting.
Thailand can't handle its internal political issue at this time.
Thailand might have lost its dignity, but at least they respected their own people than anybody else.
If it was for Hun Sen, there would be dead bodies.
the world leaders should turn to cambodia for a meeting place for everything. who need thailand! god bless cambodia.
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