Thailand ponders postponing ASEAN summit to March

BANGKOK, Nov 30 (TNA) -- Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat said Sunday that he would ask the cabinet at its meeting this week regarding possible postponement of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit to March due to the current political turbulence in the country.

Speaking during a weekly government programme telecast live on television, Mr. Sompong said he would ask the Cabinet at its Tuesday meeting on postponing the summit, scheduled to be held in Chiang Mai December 15-18, to March next year.

"I want to postpone the meeting (as long a)s it is unknown when the (current political) situation could end. This (the ASEAN summit) is a major meeting and is the face of the country. It could be postponed to March," Mr. Sompong said, "but it depends entirely on the Cabinet."

He was referring on theshut down of Suvarnabhumi international airport and Don Mueang domestic airport on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively by anti-government protesters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), forcing tens of thousands of foreign tourists and businessmen stranded in Thailand and Thais overseas unable to return just yet.

The protesters have demanded that the coalition government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat resign unconditionally and that the 2007 Constitution, written by appointees of the coupmakers, to remain unchanged.

Presently, more than 10,000 Thais are stranded overseas, he said. The Thai government will pay Bt2,000 per person per day for their accommodations and meals just like foreign tourists stranded in Thailand, said Mr. Sompong. Stranded Thais overseas should contact the nearest Thai embassy or consulate to receive assistance.

Mr. Sompongh said over 200,000 foreigners are now stranded in Thailand. The Thai government, he said is expected to spend about Bt1 billion in helping both foreigners and Thais.