PATTAYA, Thailand (11 Apr 2009) — Thailand's prime minister on Saturday declared a state of emergency in the beach resort of Pattaya and the surrounding province of Chonburi after protesters stormed a regional summit. "The government has a duty to take care of the leaders who will depart from Thailand," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in an address on Thai television. "In this extremely serious situation, the government has decided to impose a state of emergency in Pattaya and Chonburi to deal with the situation." Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the state of emergency was to ensure the security of leaders attending the regional talks "and to restore normalcy to the area". "As soon as the situation is under control the state of emergency will be lifted," he told local television. Helicopters also began evacuating foreign leaders from the roof of the hotel, police said. Philippines President Gloria Arroyo was seen boarding a civilian helicopter which landed on the roof of the hotel. Police also said that Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein had been airlifted by chopper to the Vietnam War-era U-Tapao military airfield near Pattaya. The state of emergency bans public gatherings of more than five people and empowers police and military to detain suspects for between seven and 30 days without charge. Officials can also enforce strict controls on media and all other forms of communication. | 
