JAKARTA - Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chief Surin Pitsuwan on Tuesday welcomed the apparent end of violent protests which have thrown Thailand into turmoil.

"I welcome the end of the anti-government protest in Bangkok today and I hope and pray for normalcy to return to Thailand quickly... " Surin said in a statement released through ASEAN's Jakarta-based secretariat.

"I am confident that Thailand as well as ASEAN will emerge from this chaos stronger and more determined to promote dialogue and cooperation.

"Dialogue and cooperation -- not protest and violence -- will enable us to build lasting peace, security and prosperity for all in individual countries as well as in our ASEAN community."

After a day of violence between demonstrators and troops on the streets of Bangkok, anti-government protesters on Tuesday abandoned a three-week rally at the premier's office and agreed to disperse.

The same protesters forced the cancellation of a summit of ASEAN leaders in the southern Thai town of Pattaya on Saturday, breaking through security cordons around the venue and forcing regional leaders to flee, some by helicopter.

It was seen as a major humiliation for the Thai government and ASEAN in general, but Surin said it was in fact a sign of the "integrity of the Thai government."

"I am grateful to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand and the Thai government for the safe evacuation of the leaders of ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners," he said.

"What had happened in Pattaya and Bangkok will not erode the credibility and dignity of Thailand’s chairmanship of ASEAN.

"On the contrary, the restrained government responses showed the integrity of the Thai government in restoring law and order with admirable respect for life, safety, and constitutional rights of all."