ASEAN summit with dialogue partners planned for June
Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said his government plans to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit with its six dialogue partners in June.
During his weekly television address, the Thai premier said the three-day summit, which had earlier been held in the eastern resort of Pattaya but cancelled on April 11 after anti-government protesters stormed the hotel venue, will be rescheduled for June.
Abhisit said the Thai government is now contacting the leaders of ASEAN countries and the dialogue partners — China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand — to determine whether they are prepared to come to Thailand and participate in the meeting since every country agrees that the meeting should be held in order to help solve the global economic slump and lessen the impacts on the ASEAN region.
Regarding the country’s political turmoil, the Thai premier said there is still a “group of persons trying to create unrest” and the public can help by acting upon any information they receive.
He also said a special parliamentary committee comprised of the representatives from government coalition parties, the opposition and the senate will be appointed to discuss solutions to the country’s political problems.
Last Tuesday, Abhisit said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has eyed Phuket as the prospective venue but must confer with participant countries to assure that all are in agreement with the preparations and have confidence in the security arrangements.
Thailand, as the chair of the 10-country regional grouping, will host the 15th ASEAN summit in October and several involved officials have stated that the renewed ASEAN summit with its six dialogue partners should be held in June, he said.
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