BANGKOK, Nov 28 (TNA) - Thailand will decide whether to postpone next month's summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by December 2 after several member countries expressed concern over the protest that has closed the kingdom's two main airports, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The PAD seized the Government House compound in late August and stepped up its pressure by occupying Suvaranbhumi International Airport on Tuesday and storming Don Meaung domestic airport Wednesday, which virtually paralysed air traffic in the kingdom.
ASEAN Affairs Department director-general Vitthawat Srivihok told reporters that there would be a clearer picture by December 1-2 on whether Thailand could host the key regional meeting of ASEAN leaders next month.
Thailand is scheduled to host the 14th ASEAN Summit December 13-18 in the northern city of Chiang Mai.
Mr. Vitthawat admitted that the closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport was a major obstacle for the leaders of member countries to come to the kingdom.
Security measures for the leaders and other participants would not be easy under the circumstances, he said.
He added that the ministry was preparing two options. Either Thailand would procede with the original schedule in hosting the summit, or the government would delay the event after evaluations indicate that the summit could not run as smoothly as planned.
When the postponed summit might be rescheduled, he said, depended on the situation and the schedules of the 16 leaders of ASEAN and its dialogue partners who are to participate.
Mr. Vitthawat said that until now there was no ASEAN government inquiry about the readiness of Thailand to host the summit, but he believed they are monitoring the situation at their respective countries.
The PAD seized the Government House compound in late August and stepped up its pressure by occupying Suvaranbhumi International Airport on Tuesday and storming Don Meaung domestic airport Wednesday, which virtually paralysed air traffic in the kingdom.
ASEAN Affairs Department director-general Vitthawat Srivihok told reporters that there would be a clearer picture by December 1-2 on whether Thailand could host the key regional meeting of ASEAN leaders next month.
Thailand is scheduled to host the 14th ASEAN Summit December 13-18 in the northern city of Chiang Mai.
Mr. Vitthawat admitted that the closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport was a major obstacle for the leaders of member countries to come to the kingdom.
Security measures for the leaders and other participants would not be easy under the circumstances, he said.
He added that the ministry was preparing two options. Either Thailand would procede with the original schedule in hosting the summit, or the government would delay the event after evaluations indicate that the summit could not run as smoothly as planned.
When the postponed summit might be rescheduled, he said, depended on the situation and the schedules of the 16 leaders of ASEAN and its dialogue partners who are to participate.
Mr. Vitthawat said that until now there was no ASEAN government inquiry about the readiness of Thailand to host the summit, but he believed they are monitoring the situation at their respective countries.
3 comments:
Stupid thailand trying to avoid the negotiations with cambodia! What a tricky bastard!!
thai,tricky
Nice try Ah Siam Rolei ksol!!
To All ASEAN country leaders,
When you go to Thailand for ASEAN summit, do not forget to bring with you the helmets and armor vest, because you might be shot at, and also some sleeping bag in case you get strand at the airport.
Thailand is pulling its mask to show the world who they are. Nice going PAD!
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