Najib Abdul Razak is safe in Pattaya despite attempts by anti-government protesters to storm the Royal Cliff Grand Hotel & Spa where he is staying, reported Bernama.

najib in pattaya thailand asean summit 10409 The prime minister who is on his first official trip as the nation's chief executive is in the resort city of Thailand to attend the 14th Asean Summit.

An updated Bernama report said that Najib will fly home from Pattaya at 3.30 pm (local time) today.

Protesters gathered and created a commotion at the hotel's entrance at about 1pm local time but left about 30 minutes later after being persuaded by security authorities.

The tense situation forced Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to declare a state of emergency in Pattaya and Chonburi.

anti abhisit vejjajiva thailand protestors in pattaya asean summit 100409 03 The hotel, located opposite the summit's venue at the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (Peach), also housed other Asean leaders including Abhisit.

Helicopters were seen hovering over the summit's venue and the hotel.

Earlier, hundreds of protesters stormed into the meeting venue, forcing the cancellation of the 14th Asean Summit.

Asean-China FTA signing scuttled

Among the programmes today were the Asean leaders' summit with six dialogue partners, starting with the Asean - China Summit.

It had to be postponed, however, after anti-government protesters blocked all roads to the meeting's venue and clashed with pro-government supporters.

It is learnt that members of the Chinese delegation, who were staying at the Dusit Thani Hotel several kilometres away, were reluctant to travel to the meeting venue despite appeals by Thai government officials, including Pattaya mayor Ittipol Kumpleum, who had offered to take them by helicopters or by boat to the seaside resort.

anti abhisit vejjajiva thailand protestors in bangkok 090409 04 The postponement of the Asean-China Summit also meant that the demonstrators had scuttled the signing of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement.

Besides the Asean - China Summit, the 10-member Asean grouping was also scheduled to have summits with South Korea, Japan and India today while the 4th East Asia Summit, which includes Australia and New Zealand, is scheduled for tomorrow.