Apr 11 2009
Trouble in Paradise - Thai Red Shirts Disrupt ASEAN meeting
Protesters, identified by their red shirts, stormed the ASEAN summit meeting on Saturday, forcing the Asian leaders to pack up and go home, and severely embarrassing the Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva. The protesters wanted to make it clear that they are unhappy with their leader, who took office only four months ago after parliamentary elections, which they feel were unfair. The red shirts support former PM, billionaire, Thaksin Shinawatra, who led until 2006 when he was ousted by the military. Shinawatra is the man for the rural poor, the favorite of the majority, while Abhisit is the present man for business interests, and the military.
The summit leaders had to be flown out of Thailand to ensure their safety. Not that the protesters were violent, but they were chaotic, crashing through a huge window, and clashing with the blue shirts (men tied to the military or police). The meeting, which included China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand had plans to discuss North Korea’s missile launch, as well as the economic and security issues unique to the region. This whole fiasco makes Abhisit look out of control, and will have a huge impact on Thailand’s tourism industry - a huge part of their economy.
