BBC News
Thai authorities are determined to ensure no protests disrupt the summit
Asian heads of state have begun arriving in Thailand for a summit.
Heavy security surrounds the Thai beach resort of Cha-Am, after the last attempt to hold this summit, in April, was foiled by anti-government protests.
Fresh tensions have emerged between Thailand and Cambodia after the latter offered sanctuary to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The summit must also tackle tensions over human rights observance, amid opposition from Burma's military junta.
The meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations, Asean, is due to begin later on Friday.
Tricky topics
The economy, human rights, climate change and disaster-management are on the agenda.
The leaders are also due to unveil a new regional human rights body - the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
Correspondents say the new commission is in part a response to criticism that the region is soft on human rights abuses by member-nations such as Burma. But observers have queried whether it will have sufficient powers to make a real difference.
The Asean summit was preceded by reports that an earlier effort by Asean to call for an amnesty for detained Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was blocked by Burma.
In talks on the region's economy, leaders will discuss plans to expand regional trade and investment in particular with China, and in the longer term the goal of establishing an EU-style regional community
They are also expected to issue a declaration backing this December's global climate change talks in Copenhagen.
Neighbours
Tension has also risen between summit host Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia following the offer by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen of sanctuary to fugitive Mr Thaksin.
The government of Thailand says it will seek the extradition of its former prime minister if he accepts the offer to take refuge in Cambodia.
On Wednesday, Mr Hun Sen, said Mr Thaksin-- who was ousted in a coup in 2006 - was a political victim who would always be welcome in Cambodia.
"I'd like to assure Thaksin and his supporters that Mr Hun Sen will be his friend forever," Hun Sen said after a meeting on Wednesday with another former Thai prime minister, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who recently allied with Thaksin as a member of the opposition Peua Thai party.
Hun Sen said he had already made a house ready for Mr Thaksin.
Correspondents say the Cambodian leader's comments will do little to improve relations between the two neighbours, which are already strained by a territorial dispute centred on the ancient Preah Vihear temple on their shared border.
Heavy security
Some 18,000 security personnel have thrown a cordon around the meeting venue in Cha-am, some 200km (125 miles) south of Bangkok, say reports.
Another 18,000 are said to be on alert, and special powers to impose curfews and restrict freedom of movement have been granted in case of protests.
Roadblocks have been set up and local fishermen even prevented from going out to sea.
Correspondents say Thai authorities were humiliated when protesters overcame thin police lines at the last Asean summit in the Thai resort of Pattaya last April - forcing the whole event to be cancelled.
This weekend's summit of leaders from the 10 South-East Asian member nations will be followed by talks with non-member states, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
Asian heads of state have begun arriving in Thailand for a summit.
Heavy security surrounds the Thai beach resort of Cha-Am, after the last attempt to hold this summit, in April, was foiled by anti-government protests.
Fresh tensions have emerged between Thailand and Cambodia after the latter offered sanctuary to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The summit must also tackle tensions over human rights observance, amid opposition from Burma's military junta.
The meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations, Asean, is due to begin later on Friday.
Tricky topics
The economy, human rights, climate change and disaster-management are on the agenda.
The leaders are also due to unveil a new regional human rights body - the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
Correspondents say the new commission is in part a response to criticism that the region is soft on human rights abuses by member-nations such as Burma. But observers have queried whether it will have sufficient powers to make a real difference.
The Asean summit was preceded by reports that an earlier effort by Asean to call for an amnesty for detained Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was blocked by Burma.
In talks on the region's economy, leaders will discuss plans to expand regional trade and investment in particular with China, and in the longer term the goal of establishing an EU-style regional community
They are also expected to issue a declaration backing this December's global climate change talks in Copenhagen.
Neighbours
Tension has also risen between summit host Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia following the offer by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen of sanctuary to fugitive Mr Thaksin.
The government of Thailand says it will seek the extradition of its former prime minister if he accepts the offer to take refuge in Cambodia.
On Wednesday, Mr Hun Sen, said Mr Thaksin-- who was ousted in a coup in 2006 - was a political victim who would always be welcome in Cambodia.
"I'd like to assure Thaksin and his supporters that Mr Hun Sen will be his friend forever," Hun Sen said after a meeting on Wednesday with another former Thai prime minister, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who recently allied with Thaksin as a member of the opposition Peua Thai party.
Hun Sen said he had already made a house ready for Mr Thaksin.
Correspondents say the Cambodian leader's comments will do little to improve relations between the two neighbours, which are already strained by a territorial dispute centred on the ancient Preah Vihear temple on their shared border.
Heavy security
Some 18,000 security personnel have thrown a cordon around the meeting venue in Cha-am, some 200km (125 miles) south of Bangkok, say reports.
Another 18,000 are said to be on alert, and special powers to impose curfews and restrict freedom of movement have been granted in case of protests.
Roadblocks have been set up and local fishermen even prevented from going out to sea.
Correspondents say Thai authorities were humiliated when protesters overcame thin police lines at the last Asean summit in the Thai resort of Pattaya last April - forcing the whole event to be cancelled.
This weekend's summit of leaders from the 10 South-East Asian member nations will be followed by talks with non-member states, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
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