Randomly Noted

DJN reporter Phisanu Phromchanya, covering the Asean meeting in Pattaya, Thailand, sends this dispatch about the anti-government protests which have overtaken this seaside town where leaders of southeast Asian countries are converging this weekend. Note: latest dispatches are at the bottom, so read from bottom up: “Leaders of the Red Shirts making speeches attacking Abhisit (prime minister) government and privy council Prem (adviser to King.) The speech is pretty repetitive. Thanks to the cloudy weather, mob in relatively cheerful mode as they’re not exposed to sunlight in mid-afternoon of summer peak. The pro-Thaksin protesters are calling for fresh election. They said they have nothing against other regional countries. They only want to pressure the Thai government to respond to their request. Police troops are carrying only shields with no batons or other weapons in sight.” Update: “The resort is on a steep hill with access to the beach. There are several battleships in the sea surrounding the resort. The resort is also accessible by helicopter, so leaders may have reached the venue by that means.” Update: “The latest development is the protest leaders gave the government 5 minutes to send a representative to meet them so that they can submit their request. Otherwise they might break in to submit their request to Asean leaders themselves. But it just sounds like a blunt threat to me. Don’t think they’re serious with the threat though.” Update: “Some protesters break into the hotel premises but just stop short of entering the conference center building. The protest leaders now upped their request, calling for representatives of all 10 Asean nations to come out to take their request within 5 minutes. Troops are tightening up security and tensions are on the rise.” Update and Goodnight: “Protesters pulling out for the day but say they may gather up again tomorrow to put pressure on the government.”