There have been clashes this morning between pro- and anti-government supporters in the Jomtien area of Pattaya. Initially, the protests were peaceful as red-shirted anti-government groups were able to block an access road leading to the conference hall at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel which is hosting the meeting of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Foreign ministers from China, Japan and South Korea have not been staying at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, opting for a nearby hotel instead. With the access road blocked by the red shirts, the ministers were unable to get to the conference hall and the decision was taken to postpone one of this morning’s meetings.
Blue Shirts and Red Shirts Clash
Later in the morning, violence erupted between rival groups in the Jomtien area away from the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. A few hundred people wearing masks and dark blue shirts were in the area to supposedly protect the ASEAN meeting and show their opposition to the red shirts. The two groups were involved in a stand-off as both sides hurled rocks and sling-shots. There have also been unconfirmed reports of shots being fired and Thai television showed what appeared to be smoke bombs being thrown. Some local reports say the blue shirts were Pattaya residents, whilst the red shirts themselves have accused soldiers of disguising themselves as blue shirts.
Traffic Disruption in Pattaya
There has been no sign of any real trouble in the main part of Pattaya, but the red shirts have been out in force. A procession of approximately 100 taxis carrying red-shirt supporters made its way along Beach Road in Pattaya this morning. There is also a large encampment of red-shirts on a piece of land close to the Big C area of north Pattaya. The ASEAN summit finishes tomorrow just as Pattaya gears up for the Songkran celebrations which will bring further traffic chaos.
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