What happened in Pattaya

As a result, the bilateral talks between Asean, Japan and South Korea were also delayed. As the red-shirt protesters moved closer to the entrance of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, PM Abhisit Vejjajiva decided to postpone the rest of the summits.

At 11am, he met the Asean leaders and diplomats from India, Australia and Japan to brief them about the situation. The Chinese delegation was unable to join.

Abhisit said he had postponed the summit because he was worried about the leaders' safety. According to an official at the briefing, several leaders expressed support and sympathy. He said Brunei's Sultan HM Hassanal Bolkiah wished the PM well and hoped the situation would return to normal as soon as possible.

Later, Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan informed Australian Ambassador Paul Grigson of the cancellation, and he contacted Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who had his plane make a U-turn for Brisbane. Rudd was scheduled to arrive at 4pm for the East Asia Summit.

Shortly before 2pm, Abhisit declared a state of emergency in Pattaya and Chon Buri. He wanted to ensure that the leaders could safely travel out of the country. Several Asean leaders were evacuated by helicopter, while leaders from Japan, China and South Korea were escorted to the nearby U-Tapao Airport. All leaders left Pattaya by 6pm and more than an hour later, Abhisit announced an end to the state of emergency.

Chinese PM Wen made use of the hold-up by meeting with Japanese PM Taro Aso and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. "It was such an irony," said a diplomat. The summit was scheduled for breakfast today.