Friday, 17 April 2009

Thailand to host a renewed session of the ASEAN summit

Fri, 2009-04-17

Bangkok, 17 April, (Asiantribune.com): Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday that his government is determined to host a renewed session of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit with six dialogue partners, cancelled abruptly after anti-government protesters stormed into the hotel venue of the meeting last week.

At a press conference, Abhisit said, "we will decide on the dates for the ASEAN plus three and the ASEAN plus six in the next few days. I will meet with the secretary general of the ASEAN in the next two days."

Returning to Government House for the first time in three weeks after the anti-government demonstrators ended their rally there on Tuesday , Mr. Abhisit told a press conference that his government could not allow the summits to meet with failure.

"We will decide on the dates for the ASEAN plus 3 and the ASEAN plus 6 in the next few days. I will meet with the secretary general of ASEAN in the next two days," the prime minister said.

The three-day summit between ASEAN and government leaders of China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand, began Friday at the hotel in the Thai resort of Pattaya, but was cancelled the next day by Mr. Abhisit in deference to the safety concerns of visiting government leaders after anti-government protesters led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) stormed into the hotel.

Before Thursday’s press conference, Mr. Abhisit invited foreign envoys based in Bangkok to to get a briefing at Government House about the present situation in the country as well as his government’s policy.

Thailand’s political situation has become fragile following violent street clashes between government forces and UDD supporters on Bangkok streets on Monday which left two local residents killed by the angry protesters and 135 protesters and government forces wounded or injured.

In an attempt to listen to opinions to members of parliament on the country’s politics, Mr. Abhisit said he had discussed with Parliament president Chai Chidchob to hold a joint parliament session next Wednesday and Thursday.

- Asian Tribune -

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