Pattaya , Thailand - There will be no reconciliation talks with fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after a sharp escalation of anti-government protests in Bangkok and the nearby resort city of Pattaya aimed at disrupting a regional summit, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Friday. A large group of pro-Thaksin demonstrators attempted Friday to gain entry into the meeting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) with its dialogue partners, which include China and Japan.

Bangkok  - Anti-government demonstrators in Bangkok threatened Thursday to descend on this weekend's summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) unless the Thai administration resigns.

Tens of thousands of supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra prolonged their demonstration in the centre of the capital after a call by Thaksin for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and three advisers to the king to resign from their posts.

Hong Kong  - Hong Kong dropped more than 3 per cent Wednesday on more worries over the economy and first-quarter earnings.

The blue-chip Hang Seng Index fell by 454.11 points or 3.04 per cent to end the day at 14,474.86. Turnover was 60.8 billion Hong Kong dollars (7.8 billion US dollars.)

Losses were across the board, with market heavyweight HSBC losing 5.57 per cent to close at 48.35 Hong Kong dollars.

Bangkok  - More than 50,000 red-shirted anti-government protestors swarmed Bangkok's government quarter Wednesday in a demonstration of support for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

At midday the masses of people were calm, enjoying a break from recent rains, but many protestors were moving towards the home of chief royal advisor Prem Tinsulanda who they blame for hatching the military coup that toppled Thaksin in September 2006.

Bangkok - Thai police have arrested three men who they claim were plotting to assassinate an advisor to King Bhumibol Adulyadej at a time of rising political tension in the country, a news report said Wednesday.

The suspects allegedly told investigators that some military officers wanted to create turmoil ahead of Wednesday's mass rally by supporters loyal to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the Nation reported.

Bangkok  - A royalist mass movement that closed Bangkok's two airports last year and besieged parliament will regroup this week if current anti-government protests turn violent, one of their leaders said Sunday.

Protesters who want fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra back in power claim that 100,000 people will gather Wednesday to protest the September 2006 coup that ousted him.