Heamakarn Sricharatchanya
Bangkok Post
Jakarta – The ongoing political turmoil in Bangkok is not going to stop Thailand’s hosting of a summit of Southeast Asian nations that will be held in the northern province of Chiang Mai two weeks from now, the top official of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) said Tuesday.
The statement was made a day after about 18,000 protesters of People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) surrounded the parliament, forcing the parliament to cancel its joint session to consider legislation related to the Asean summit.
“The government is managing situation and the fact that they have moved the venue to Chiang Mai is making sure it is going to be smooth and away from any pressure,” Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan, former foreign minister, said during his meeting with reporters from Asean countries.
Mr Surin called the ongoing political tension in Thailand as “part of inconvenience of parliamentary democracy.”
“If it is a presidential system, you would not have the problem,” he said. “We have to live with that as long as it is constitutionally resolved.”
Earlier the day, Foreign Minister Tharit Charungvat expressed his confidence on Thailand’s readiness to host the summit. “Every country is confident that Thailand can host the meeting,” he said.
Two months ago, Cambodia said it was concerned about Thailand’s ability to host the summit, and even suggested Asean to consider a more stable host such as Singapore or Vietnam.
Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have turned sour following the border dispute over Preah Vihear temple. Asean itself has not been in a position to help solve the conflict because of Thailand’s decision to engage in bilateral talks with the neighbouring country.
“At least, the dispute has not flared up into the open. It hasn’t been resolved but it has been contained,” Mr Surin said. “And that is an achievement in itself.”
The statement was made a day after about 18,000 protesters of People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) surrounded the parliament, forcing the parliament to cancel its joint session to consider legislation related to the Asean summit.
“The government is managing situation and the fact that they have moved the venue to Chiang Mai is making sure it is going to be smooth and away from any pressure,” Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan, former foreign minister, said during his meeting with reporters from Asean countries.
Mr Surin called the ongoing political tension in Thailand as “part of inconvenience of parliamentary democracy.”
“If it is a presidential system, you would not have the problem,” he said. “We have to live with that as long as it is constitutionally resolved.”
Earlier the day, Foreign Minister Tharit Charungvat expressed his confidence on Thailand’s readiness to host the summit. “Every country is confident that Thailand can host the meeting,” he said.
Two months ago, Cambodia said it was concerned about Thailand’s ability to host the summit, and even suggested Asean to consider a more stable host such as Singapore or Vietnam.
Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have turned sour following the border dispute over Preah Vihear temple. Asean itself has not been in a position to help solve the conflict because of Thailand’s decision to engage in bilateral talks with the neighbouring country.
“At least, the dispute has not flared up into the open. It hasn’t been resolved but it has been contained,” Mr Surin said. “And that is an achievement in itself.”
4 comments:
What will, as the Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan, come up with the agenda of meeting? Democracy? Respect international law? Country should not grab land from others Countries? The whole asean thing is a joke!
Surin Pitsovan is a cheater out of many cheater in the world. you are thai people, so you said out lying...if this meeting can not summitte the ASEAN CHAPTER and Free Trade ASEAN and ASEAN+3 or have any protest during meeting, you must resign immediately from the ASEAN General Secretary.
Go home and stay with PDA in your country...No progress during your power term.
Thai probably will not be able do it. Not with the protesters keep interrupting. Even their regular tourists are now starting to feel annoying and want to go home or never coming back. See the protest that is going on just today Nov. 25.2008 at the thai international suvannaphoum airport. The whole thing is just sickening. Somebody has to start using force to restore order!
Yeah! put all theMF in jail now!
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