Thai PM: ASEAN summit will be in Hua Hin
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday announced that the venue of the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, earlier planned to be held in Bangkok, will be in the beach resort of Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
The dates for ASEAN Summit will however remain unchanged from the scheduled February 27-March 1, the premier said.
The government’s decision to change the venue to Hua Hin, about 280 kilometres south of Bangkok, has been made to avoid possible chaos which may erupt from a protest by anti-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), explained Abhisit.
UDD protesters, the supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and dissolved People Power Party which stemmed from Thaksin-led Thai Rak Thai Party, have recently demanded that the coalition government of Abhisit resign unconditionally and a new general election be held, and threatened to block the regional bloc’s meeting.
Meanwhile, an official source said there was a meeting among national security authorities today at the Government House and Prime Minister Abhisit and his deputy Suthep Thueksuban were believed to have conferred with Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda and Police Chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan on security measures for the ASEAN Summit as well as on other matters on current political situation of the country.
Regarding the new venue of the ASEAN Summit, Hua Hin is a long-time beach resort of Thailand and quite well-known among foreign tourists. The town of Hua Hin is located in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Hua Hin is also the place where Klai Kangwol Palace, a summer residence for Their Majesties the King and Queen, is located.
Related Posts
Leave your response!