Murdoch evacuated from summit

Thailand delays ASEAN summit

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New Zealand's top diplomat Simon Murdoch says he was rushed by boat to a Thai frigate after protesters invaded the venue for the East Asia Summit in Thailand over the weekend.

Mr Murdoch told NZPA that he had been involved in a series of meetings ahead of Prime Minister John Key's planned arrival at the Thai seaside resort of Pattaya before the summit was cancelled.

It was common knowledge that thousands of red-clad supporters of the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra were protesting outside the media entrance, but it came a surprise when they broke through security ranks and encroached upon the areas reserved for leaders and diplomats.

Mr Murdoch was initially told he could not leave the conference centre, but within a short time he was hurried down to the nearby beach.

From there Mr Murdoch was loaded into an inflatable boat and ferried out to a Thai navy frigate as officials assessed the risk to foreign diplomats.

Mr Murdoch, like the New Zealand media left behind, noted that the protesters were peaceful and seemed more intent on making a political statement than any violence.

After an hour on the ship, Mr Murdoch was ferried back to the shore.

"We took off our shoes, rolled up our trousers and clutching our papers made our way to the beach," Mr Murdoch said.

Eventually he and other New Zealand diplomats made their way back to Bangkok to link up with Mr Key who never even got out of the airport.

Questions are being asked about the Thai authorities inability to ensure the safety of visiting officials and politicians, but Mr Murdoch had nothing but praise.

Thai officials had shown nothing but concern and had been very efficient ensuring the safety of officials.

"We were very well looked after," he said.

Mr Murdoch, who is to retire shortly as the head of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, is currently making his way back to New Zealand.

(Ian Llewellyn travelled to Thailand with the assistance of the Asia Foundation)

NZPA