<<BREAKING>>THAILAND IN STATE OF EMERGENCY, HUGE CHAOS, EX GOVERNMENT CHIEF THAKSIN CALLS FOR REVOLUTION

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# Story Highlights
# State of emergency declared in Bangkok and surrounding area
# Protesters storm the country's interior ministry and attack PM's car
# Official: A police officer was led away by demonstrators and beaten
# Protesters are loyal to ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in 2006 coup

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced a state of emergency Sunday in the capital city, Bangkok, and surrounding areas in an attempt to contain days of intensifying anti-government protests.
Protesters surround a damaged car inside the interior ministry compound in Bangkok.

Protesters surround a damaged car inside the interior ministry compound in Bangkok.
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Immediately after the prime minister's announcement, dozens of protesters stormed the country's interior ministry and pelted Abhisit's car with rocks, chairs, flags and sticks as he escaped.

Protesters climbed atop two military armored cars after laying down on the road and blocking its path. A police officer was also led away by demonstrators and later beaten, said Sathit Wongnongtoey, an official in the prime minister's office.

The emergency measure will allow officials to arrest and detain protesters without a court order and restrict gatherings, authorities said. Video Watch more about the attacks »

Also Sunday, police arrested a leader of the "red shirt" movement -- named for the color of their demonstrators' attire. The leader, Arismun Pongruengrong, was charged with inciting people to break the law, police said.

Arismun led demonstrators who forced their way into a hotel Saturday where Asian leaders were to meet.

The action prompted the indefinite postponement of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in the southern coastal city of Pattaya, authorities said.

Thousands of "red shirt" protesters have rallied for days to demand Abhisit's resignation.

The red shirts have given the prime minister repeated deadlines to resign, but those have come and gone.
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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was disappointed by the summit's delay.

"I understand the circumstances that led the Thai government to take this difficult decision. While I had hoped to have exchanges with the leaders of ASEAN and its dialogue partners, I continue to look forward to engaging again with them in the near future," Ban said.

The protesters are loyal to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.
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They have said Abhisit's government was not democratically elected and want him to resign and schedule elections.

Abhisit, who has held the position for four months, has rejected calls to step down.

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Last Edited by Helmut on 04/12/2009 11:19 AM