Opposition 'victory'
The red-shirted protesters, supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra, declared victory thereafter and withdrew peacefully from the summit venue.
In depth
Video: Protesters disrupt conference in Thailand Video: Thai protest leader speaks out
Timeline: Thailand crisis
Profile: Abhisit Vejjajiva
Sean Boonpracong, a spokesman for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), the group leading the anti-government protests, told Al Jazeera: "We are satisfied that we are showing ourselves in force, to show that all is not well politically in Thailand.
"We feel like the larger issues in society have not been addressed at all. There is no justice in Thailand today."
Rival protesters - both monarchists and pro-Thaksin supporters - clashed among themselves, throwing stones and smoke bombs at each other about five kilometres from the venue.
A Thai official said two or three people were injured in the clashes. Authorities were investigating reports of shots fired and an explosion.
Leaders from the 10 Asean members plus China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand were to discuss measures to combat the global economic crisis on Saturday and Sunday.
China and the Asean states were also due to sign a long-planned free-trade agreement, a key in the regional body's ambition to create the world's largest free-trade area.
This is what we should be doing. I feel inspired.. shouldn't we be taking charge in our own country when our politicians meet in secret shouldn't we override their meetings like the Thai protesters do? We could override the bilderburg group if we wanted to!! I think this is a dandy idea... but I'm not advocating for mass protests... but if it comes down to it we shouldn't sit on our butts much longer. Now, I'm not advocating for socialism, I'm just mad at the people who are in power like a lot of other people.
english.aljazeera.net
(visit the link for the full news article)
