Thailand Readies Itself To Host The 14th ASEAN Summit

[DaleBlue]

So, did terrorist Kasit take back that land around Preah Vihear temple? He said that when he was on PAD stage during their 3 month illegal protest.

I remember the case was decided 50 years ago or so by the World Court. Many governments have gone in and out and no one could take back the land.

Only Kasit said he/they could/should take the land back.

- There was no written evidents that Kasit wanted to take it back.

- The protest, including the Airport incident was totally legal.

[sriracha john]

[samak's] Ex-Foreign Minister voices support for Kasit

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya's role in the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will not affect the confidence of international community in Thailand, according to former Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag. The ex-minister believed Mr Kasit can explain the agreements to be signed at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit at the parliamentary session. Mr Tej expressed confidence that the Foreign Minister has proper qualifications to perform his job and he will not hinder the government's performance. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also has confidence in Mr Kasit and he is widely known as a professional diplomat, Mr Tej said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...pport-for-kasit

[samgrowth]

I think the RED will start planning to capture Dusit Hua Hin, and the road between BKK & HH.

I am sure Mark have a back up plan and already book 2nd & 3rd hotel incase the 1st one is deemed in-operatable.

Apparently you are not aware of who owns the Dusit Thani Hua Hin. I'm sure the Reds are very aware, which is why absolutely nothing will happen during ASEAN.

Who own the Dusit Thani? Mark? Thaksin? I really don't know.

I should have been more clear - while Dusit is a publicly traded company, the land all the Dusit hotels are built on are leased from the Crown Property Bureau. Who that group is affiliated with - I'll leave it to you to discern...

OK. I agree with you. Better not discuss furthur. I don't want to go to jail for LM.

[sriracha john]

Red-Shirt Group Files Petition Demanding Indonesia Boycott ASEAN Summit

Anti-government protesters have filed a petition to the Indonesian Embassy, demanding that they boycott the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Thailand, while arguing that the Thai government came to power through undemocratic means.

Approximately 30 members of the red-shirt Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship or DAAD, led by core leaders Jakkrapob Penkair, Veera Musikkapong, and Nattawuth Saikea, gathered at the Indonesian Embassy this morning to submit a letter expressing their concerns about the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Thailand.

Earlier, the anti-government group submitted letters to four ASEAN member countries including Myanmar, Singapore, the Philippines, and Brunei demanding that their leaders not attend the meeting next month.

The letter argued that the Thai government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva came to power through undemocratic means and that Foreign Minister Kasit Pirom is an international terrorist as he backed the People's Alliance for Democracy in its airport closure last year.

DAAD core leader Jakkrapob claimed that they were welcomed by the embassies though they could not convince their leaders from attending the meeting. He said, however, that he believes there might be some reaction from ASEAN member countries, such a weakening of their ties with Thailand.

Jakkrapob affirmed that the DAAD is calling on the red-shirt protesters from across the country for a major gathering at Sanam Luang on Saturday, which they say will be their biggest event yet, despite attempts to interrupt the gathering.

- TOC / 2009-01-27

Edited January 27, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Former PPP MP and current PTP MP and UDD Leader Jatuporn Prompan in Parliament meeting yesterday.

Thai Rath newspaper

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ASEAN agreements get go-ahead

A joint sitting of the two houses yesterday endorsed all 20 draft agreements and contracts to be signed at the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next month. The administration needed parliamentary approval for the draft framework agreements to be signed during the ASEAN Summit. The ratification of the ASEAN-related documents did not go smoothly as the PTP-led opposition and the government traded accusations, forcing co-chairs Parliament President Chai Chidchob and Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej to twice call for a short recess to cool tensions. The war of words started when PTP MP Jatuporn Prompan, a core member of the anti-government UDD, tried to turn the forum into a censure debate against Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1360...ts-get-go-ahead

[Jai Dee]

Crucial Asean bill pass in rowdy House session

Thai lawmakers yesterday approved a total of 41 crucial Asean and related agreements following a stormy House session which was suspended twice due to heated debates.

The passage of these agreements would allow the government to sign deals with its counterparts during the upcoming Asean summit from Feb 27 to March 1.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would join other Asean leaders in signing eight pacts during the summit, while foreign ministers of Asean would sign five separate agreements.

The rest of 28 agreements will be signed by economic and other related ministers of the 10 Asean countries.

Article 190 of the Thai Constitution requires the government to seek parliamentary mandate before negotiating and signing any agreements with foreign countries.

The Asean documents include the Bangkok Declaration on the roadmap for an ASEAN Community and framework for the Asean human right body, which would turn Asean into a regional community and a legal-based organization.

Thai parliament also approved free trade agreements which Thailand would join other members and dialogue partners.

These free trade pacts included agreements between Asean and partners from India, China, Australia and New Zealand.

Foreign, commerce, labor, transportation and public health ministries would be involved.

Some bilateral agreements such as on human trafficking with Burma and on labor cooperation with South Korea were also approved.

A total of 36 member ad-hoc committee will scrutinize some of the pacts such as Asean document for human right body and a memorandum of understanding on labor with South Korea. The committee would complete their works within 15 days.

Chai Chidchob, who chaired the morning House session, asked a break for five minutes as the debate involving Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya's role in earlier street protests appeared to have gone beyond the limit.

Jatuporn Prompan from the opposition Pheu Thai Party heated up the session when he asked Kasit to clarify his role in the People's Alliance for Democracy's lengthy protest last year.

Kasit's rude verbal attack to Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen during last year's protests was also cited as a harm to confidence among neighboring countries, the opposition MP said.

"Shame on you, Mr Kasit as you referred to Cambodian Prime Minister with such rude words," Jatuporn said in the parliament.

In a television talk show on October 14 last year, Kasit called Hun Sen a "thug" when Cambodia offered ultimatum for Thai troop withdrawal from Preah Vihear temple's vicinity.

Jatuporn's speech led to a number of objections from Democrat's members including Boonyod Sukthinthai, Chamni Sakdiset and Kraisak Choonhavan.

The debate aimed to ask approval for Asean pacts, rather than a censure motion against the foreign minister, they said in defending the foreign minister.

In response, Kasit said he exercised his right as a Thai citizen to launch the verbal attack to Hun Sen when the latter posed a threat to Thailand. But now he claimed to have a good term with Hun Sen.

Kasit also told the parliament that he saw nothing wrong with the airport closure since many airports around the world also needed to close after protests by pilots or ground staffs.

"I have never seen any countries compensate for the tourists for that matter," he said and added his government has a special care to compensate the travelers.

The afternoon session was also heated during a consideration of free-trade agreements when a Peu Thai MP urged Chairman Prasopsuk Boondej to count the quorum since saw small number of parliamentarians in the meeting room.

Democrat's Boonyod opposed the move saying many members listening out side while Peu Thai Party's Sunai Jullapongsathorn accused the chairman of siding with the government and referred to Boonyod as a pro-dictator journalist. Boonyod was an ex-journalist who hailed the 2006 coup.

Many non-elected senators joined the quarrel before the chairman call another break.

Source: The Nation - 28 January 2009

[hammered]

It is interesting that the opposition seemed more fixated on who was the foreign minister rather than what was in the bill passed. Clearly they still have some learning to do to fulfill the role of opposition effectively and in the interests of the people......

Anyway it is good was voted on and the treaties can be signed and Thailand start to move on as legislation starts to occur.

[samgrowth]

It is interesting that the opposition seemed more fixated on who was the foreign minister rather than what was in the bill passed. Clearly they still have some learning to do to fulfill the role of opposition effectively and in the interests of the people......

Anyway it is good was voted on and the treaties can be signed and Thailand start to move on as legislation starts to occur.

The RED is running out of steam beacuse Thaksin is running out of money. Simple as that.

[sriracha john]

It is interesting that the opposition seemed more fixated on who was the foreign minister rather than what was in the bill passed. Clearly they still have some learning to do to fulfill the role of opposition effectively and in the interests of the people......

Anyway it is good was voted on and the treaties can be signed and Thailand start to move on as legislation starts to occur.

A government that accomplishes a task. What a breath of fresh air that is.

[hammered]

It is interesting that the opposition seemed more fixated on who was the foreign minister rather than what was in the bill passed. Clearly they still have some learning to do to fulfill the role of opposition effectively and in the interests of the people......

Anyway it is good was voted on and the treaties can be signed and Thailand start to move on as legislation starts to occur.

A government that accomplishes a task. What a breath of fresh air that is.

And we havent heard anything about constitutional ammendments to help supreme master since the demise of Somchai "the reluctant". The days of fiddle while Rome burns seem over which is actually a refreshing change. Now we need the opposition to act as a parliamentary check and balance and not some Thaksin's talking points record stuck in a groove or some faux boutique socialist wannabes. It would help if they could elect a leader and find people who understood the role of parliament unlike the odious egomaniac and laughing stock Jatuporn. They surely must have some higher quality MPs than this complete fool. Mind you lucky for us that most of the red shirt Bangkok based ideologues (well actually they arent very ideological at all ) and so called leftists (apologists and supporters of Thailands worst human rights abuse in decades is probably a better descriptuion) arent in parliament. I also add lucky for us most of the PAD leadership are also not in parliament. Then again they are honest enough to admit they dont support democracy (as understood in most of the world) in Thailand, which is equally true of the red side who dont believe in human rights, innocence until proven guilty, right to trial or any other such quaint democratic rights. Pity they arent as honest as the yellows. Luckily neither have much real control in parliament. And luckily street action seems to be on the decline as does any public desire to see any more such lunacy.

[Jai Dee]

Thailand agrees to Asean pacts

Thailand's parliament has agreed to adopt 41 pacts at a regional summit next month to forge closer ties with its Southeast Asian neighbours, the government's chief whip said on Wednesday.

The current Thai constitution requires that all international agreements be pre-approved, and that was done by a joint session of parliament that concluded on Tuesday evening.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 14th summit is due to be held in the coastal Thai town of Hua Hin between February 27 to March 1.

'The meeting last night adopted all the agreements in a decisive vote with more than 400 to 10 (votes in favour),' said chief whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiat.

Mr Chinnaworn said two of the 41 pacts that involve human rights legislation still required further vetting by a 36-member committee that would return the amended texts for a further joint parliamentary vote within 15 days.

'But the others cannot be changed as they have been agreed,' he added.

The adopted agreements include trade accords already signed by six of the grouping's 10 members, but not Thailand.

The economic ministers of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore and Malaysia signed three separate deals covering trade in goods, investment and services in mid-December in Singapore after the main summit was delayed.

The summit was originally set to be held in Bangkok in December but it was moved first to the northern city of Chiang Mai, then delayed and moved to the coast in late February as political turmoil engulfed Thailand.

Other agreements include plans to liberalise aviation regulations among members, agree food security measures and sign a declaration for a roadmap of development for the Asean community.

Thailand currently holds the rotating chair of Asean, which groups it with Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

Source: AFP - 28 January 2009

[sriracha john]

Red-Shirt Group Files Petition Demanding Indonesia Boycott ASEAN Summit

Anti-government protesters have filed a petition to the Indonesian Embassy, demanding that they boycott the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Thailand

*making the rounds*

Anti-Government Activists File Petition to Malaysian Embassy

Anti-government protesters have filed a petition to the Malaysian Embassy, demanding that they boycott the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Thailand. Meanwhile, they are preparing to disclose information tomorrow about their major rally this weekend.

About 20 members of the red-shirt Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship or DAAD, led by core leaders Jakkrapob Penkair, Veera Musikkapong, and Nattawut Saikea gathered at the Malaysian Embassy this morning to submit a letter expressing their concerns about the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Thailand.

Earlier, the letter was submitted to five ASEAN member countries including Myanmar, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, and Indonesia demanding that their leaders not attend the meeting next month.

However, core DAAD leader Nattawut Saikea stated that the group will not travel to the embassy tomorrow, but instead will assess their previous movements against the government.

Also tomorrow, they will disclose the strategy of the red-shirt group's mass gathering at Sanam Luang on Saturday.

The red-shirt group insisted it will continue its movement until it can overthrow the government and threatened that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his government will no longer work in peace.

- TOC / 2009-01-28

[Koo82]

Anti-government protesters have filed a petition to the Indonesian Embassy, demanding that they boycott the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Thailand

- TOC / 2009-01-28

TOC tells a lie here. We have said for almost a month that we do not demand any country to boycott ASEAN Summit.

We send them the letter saying we only protest against the terrorist Kasit who joined the yellows' illegal protests blocking Government House and airports, and protest against the Abhisit government who brings terrorist to work instead of sending them to jail.

The difference between the reds and the yellows:

- The yellows and their gang always badmouth the enemy with lies.

- The reds tell what the yellows have done based on news and evidences and the yellows say the reds badmouth them.

I'm expecting an expert to cut and paste another piece of news with the same lie on Friday. We have 3 countries left: Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. We won't send out letter tomorrow.

[mrtoad]

It is interesting that the opposition seemed more fixated on who was the foreign minister rather than what was in the bill passed. Clearly they still have some learning to do to fulfill the role of opposition effectively and in the interests of the people......

Anyway it is good was voted on and the treaties can be signed and Thailand start to move on as legislation starts to occur.

The RED is running out of steam beacuse Thaksin is running out of money. Simple as that.

You don't understand the irony of what you have just posted.

[mrtoad]

Anti-government protesters have filed a petition to the Indonesian Embassy, demanding that they boycott the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Thailand

- TOC / 2009-01-28

TOC tells a lie here. We have said for almost a month that we do not demand any country to boycott ASEAN Summit.

We send them the letter saying we only protest against the terrorist Kasit who joined the yellows' illegal protests blocking Government House and airports, and protest against the Abhisit government who brings terrorist to work instead of sending them to jail.

The difference between the reds and the yellows:

- The yellows and their gang always badmouth the enemy with lies.

- The reds tell what the yellows have done based on news and evidences and the yellows say the reds badmouth them.

I'm expecting an expert to cut and paste another piece of news with the same lie on Friday. We have 3 countries left: Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. We won't send out letter tomorrow.

Koo the use of we suggests that you are leading the reds campaign. Is that correct?

[Koo82]

Koo the use of we suggests that you are leading the reds campaign. Is that correct?

I'm too far from a leader job. I'm just a regular Thai red shirted person.

I'm against how Abhisit cabinet formed their government, how they are donating defected items to poor people and how they are trying to mislead us.

They were hungry for too long, so when they become government this time, they were in a rush to donate canned fish, rice, blanket and now school uniforms.

Glad we have the DStation now and we have up to date information. We were in the dark for too long.

[Koo82]

From 10:30am this morning we will submit letter to Embassy of Cambodia. Next is to Embassy of Laos. At 11:30am, we will submit letter to Embassy of Vietnam.

Letters say that we DO NOT do anything to stop the ASEAN Summit but are shy having the lousy Foreign Minister Kasit and blind Abhisit who appointed the guy to this position. So we will protest.

If any expert still cuts and pastes the news saying we urge 9 countries to boycott the Summit, I understand you are blind, deaf or you are stupid not to understand the truth or you want to make us, the reds, look bad.

[Plus]

..you want to make us, the reds, look bad.

You don't need any help with that, you are doing great on your own.

Just tell us, Koo, how could you go to ask Burmese generals to help democracy in Thailand? You, reds, must be completely out of your mind.

[Koo82]

I don't understand what is "Burmese generals to help democracy in Thailand". What exactly did you want to ask?

[Plus]

Burmese was practically the first embassy the reds went to ask for help.

[hammered]

Burmese was practically the first embassy the reds went to ask for help.

We shouldnt forget that Thaksin was the best mate the Burmese junta ever had in Thailand. He even gave them Thai state money to buy from his companies on one of his many visits. Still I guess the old soldier boys in Burma dont remember who there best mate ever was when he has no power, and the money all got locked up too. Unrequited love such a terrible thing.

[Plus]

Yes, for self-professed democracy lovers Thaksin and his followers are too close to Burmese junta. Don't forget how Samak praised them for being good, temple going buddhists and dismissed all pro-democracy protests there.

Now the reds went to Burmese embassy asking for their cooperation in establishing "true democracy" in Thailand.

[sriracha john]

Looks like everything is getting readied in a cordial and timely manner...

Foreign Affairs Ministry and ASEAN Ambassadors Inspect Preparations for ASEAN Summit

Foreign Affairs Deputy Permanent-Secretary Norachit Singhaseni brought the 9 Ambassadors of ASEAN nations to Petchaburi province to look at preparations for the ASEAN Summit on a 2-day trip.

Places looked at included the meeting room and banquet room at Dusit Thani Hua Hin Resort and Spa, a spouse tour at Marukathaiyawan Palace, the press center at Sheraton Hua Hin, the Hua Hin Airport, and the banquet for spouses at Sofitel Centara Grand Resort and Spa Villa.

- TOC / 2009-02-02

Edited February 2, 2009 by sriracha john

[hammered]

Looks like everything is getting readied in a cordial and timely manner...

Foreign Affairs Ministry and ASEAN Ambassadors Inspect Preparations for ASEAN Summit

Foreign Affairs Deputy Permanent-Secretary Norachit Singhaseni brought the 9 Ambassadors of ASEAN nations to Petchaburi province to look at preparations for the ASEAN Summit on a 2-day trip.

Places looked at included the meeting room and banquet room at Dusit Thani Hua Hin Resort and Spa, a spouse tour at Marukathaiyawan Palace, the press center at Sheraton Hua Hin, the Hua Hin Airport, and the banquet for spouses at Sofitel Centara Grand Resort and Spa Villa.

- TOC / 2009-02-02

I do wonder what event all things red have planned for this meeting. They can hardly let such an opportunity for publicity and government emabbarrassment pass surely, and yet something in Hua Hin will likely not go down at all well with th epeople of Thailand, so I wonder what they have in store.

[sriracha john]

I do wonder what event all things red have planned for this meeting.

*whatever it is...they better bring a lot of people*

Some 3,100 policemen will provide security for ASEAN Summit

About 3,100 policemen will be deployed to keep security in Hua Hin and Cha-Am during the ASEAN Summit later this month, Provincial Police Bureau 7's Commissioner Police Lt-Gen Thawil Surachetpong said Wednesday.

Thawil said the police forces would come from tourist police and several agencies in provinces near Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Thawil was speaking to reporters during a meeting of senior police officers for making preparations for the ASEAN Summit, which will be held on February 27 to March 1 in Phetchaburi's Cha-Am district and Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district.

- The Nation / 2009-02-04

[Jai Dee]

PM : Thailand to open new chapter for ASEAN

The Prime Minister announced Thailand would open new chapter for the ASEAN during its 14th summit meeting to be held in seaside towns of Hua Hin and Cha Am between February 27 and March 1.

Prime Minister Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva held a special press conference on "Drum Roll to the 14th ASEAN summit 2009” on Tuesday (February 10) at the Government House. Various foreign nations’ ambassadors to Thailand and members of the media, both domestically and internationally, attended the function.

Mr. Abhisit said that during the past four decades, Thailand have played proactive role in establishing and developing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be a successful organization significantly help driving development of this region.

Apart from being founding member nation in 1967, Thailand has played instrumental roles during the ASEAN’s transition period in the past as follows:

- Participating in peaceful procedural establishment in Cambodia

- Participating in establishing ASEAN Free Trade Area in 1992

- Participating in ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), a venue for talks on regional political and security issues, in 1994

- Participating in Chiang Mai initiative and creation of cooperation of regional network to alleviate Tom Yum Kung financial crisis in 1997.

Thailand’s playing host to the upcoming 14th ASEAN summit in Cham Am and Hua Hin could be likening to ASEAN’s returning to its birth place.

Mr. Abhisit said that the 14th ASEAN summit would be the new chapter of ASEAN since implementation of ASEAN Charter in December 2008.

Themes and sub-themes of the 14th ASEAN summit is “ASEAN Charter for ASEAN People”. ASEAN people are centre of regional cooperation. Three main sub-themes are as follows:

1. Aiming to create efficient community:

- Thailand will use this opportunity to lay down foundation leading to ASEAN Community in 2015.

- Thailand wants to build up ASEAN to be an organization with clear regulations for efficient operation via pushing for implementation of new mechanism of ASEAN under ASEAN Charter.

- Three main pillars of ASEAN Council and establishment of ASEAN’s permanent representatives in Jarkata, Indonesia, will be implemented.

- Establishment of ASEAN’s human rights organization will be done by the end of 2009 to create credibility among global community towards the body. The organization will also be practical body to protect and promote human rights in this region.

- Strengthening ASEAN secretariat in terms of budget and personnels to enable ASEAN’s full potential and responsibilities as being stipulated in the ASEAN Charter.

Mr. Abhisit also said that ASEAN community with its people as centre would be promoted. He and other ASEAN’s leaders would meet and talk with representatives from various groups, such as from House of Representatives and civil society.

The premier pinned high hope that the move would be turning point enhancing feeling of being ASEAN population among ASEAN people.

2. Enhancing regional strength to be prepared with potential global threats.

- Thailand prefers to add flexibility to ASEAN via enhancing its human strength in various dimensions to be prepared for possible global threats.

- Strengthening ASEAN’s cooperation to reduce untowards impacts against people’s good living condition as well as such other issues as food safety, energy and efficient disasters’ management in the area.

- ASEAN’s leaders will consult among them to sound out measures to be prepared for impact of global financial and economic crises against ASEAN community based on suggestions of the upcoming ASEAN Finance Ministers’ meeting in southern Phuket on February 22.

3. Enhancing ASEAN’s roles as centre of development in the region

- Creating ASEAN community and promoting it to be centre for evolution of regional structure

- The ASEAN summit will be good venue and will offer good opportunity for ASEAN to exhibit to the world’s community that ASEAN is still strong. Its 10 member nations are perfect parts of the broadened East Asia’s community. It is vital mechanism to push for global economic growth in the future.

Mr. Abhisit stressed that Thailand has been the nation of liberty, smile and opportunities, the message that he has disseminated since he first assuming office about a month ago.

As ASEAN Chair, Mr. Abhisit said that Thailand would do by all means to ensure ASEAN’s continuation with closer ties among its member nations to realize its vision and dream as a founding ASEAN member country to promote ASEAN community to be sharing, caring and sympathetic society.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 11 February 2009

[newtronbom]

Agreed that this seems to be a fresh beginning for this country. I just hope that this new man gets the time to make a few very important changes. He could well effect the future of this country in a very good way! Shame on all the "hecklers" that are just trying to run their own private agenda.

[Jai Dee]

ASEAN Finance Ministers to focus on turning around economies

Minister of Finance Mr. Korn Chatikavanij revealed the upcoming ASEAN Finance Ministers plus three East Asian ministers’ meeting in Phuket on February 22 would focus on discussing ways and means for member nations to tackle economic woes following protracted world economic crises.

Mr. Korn said last week that the upcoming Special ASEAN plus three Finance Ministers’ Meeting (Special AFMM+3) would focus on strengthening economic, financial and fiscal cooperation between 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries and three East Asian nations, including China, Japan and South Korea under prevailing protracted economic crises, non stable global financial system and volatility of global oil prices.

Mr. Korn and his South Korean counterpart would co-chair the meeting. Other participants would include ministers of finance from 10 ASEAN member countries, three East Asian nations, ASEAN secretary-general Mr. Surin Pitsuwan and Manila-based Asian Development Bank chairman.

He said that the meeting would focus on exchanging participant’s views on global and regional economic situation with concentration on ASEAN plus three’s already implemented economic stimulus packages and new policies and measures to ensure regional economies to turn around from economic slump and resume their roles as major economic driving force for global economy.

They would also exchange views on solution to Group of 20 (G-20) economic crisis, Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) to be short term financial mechanism to enhance regional financial liquidity, Asian Bond Market Initiative (ABMI) to strengthen Asian bonds’ market in terms of both supply and demand of regional bonds and relevant market infrastructure.

Regarding CMIM, Japan earlier proposed to expand bracket of financial facility from 120 billion dollars, from 80 billion dollars which ASEAN would contribute about 20 per cent of total facility while Japan, China and South Korea would contribute the remainders.

Thailand is prepared to contribute four billion dollars, allocated from its foreign exchange reserves.

The Special AFMM+3, he said, would be the first special meeting of its kind. Normally, the meeting would be held in May, before annual ADB governors’ meeting. The 12th AFM + 3 will be held on May 3 at Bali, Indonesia.

Mr. Korn added that during the meeting in Phuket, cross investing among Asian investors to increase their portfolio investment in Asia would be raised for discussion in term of facilitating these investors through rectifying relevant rules and regulations on the mater and help them to divest their portfolio investment. It would also a boon to the Thai stock exchange.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 16 February 2009

[wayfarer108]

From 10:30am this morning we will submit letter to Embassy of Cambodia. Next is to Embassy of Laos. At 11:30am, we will submit letter to Embassy of Vietnam.

Letters say that we DO NOT do anything to stop the ASEAN Summit but are shy having the lousy Foreign Minister Kasit and blind Abhisit who appointed the guy to this position. So we will protest.

If any expert still cuts and pastes the news saying we urge 9 countries to boycott the Summit, I understand you are blind, deaf or you are stupid not to understand the truth or you want to make us, the reds, look bad.

Surely an ASEAN summit hosted in Thailand is a good thing, whether it's the Demos or Peua Thai in charge. It's not as if one Thai party or another can influence ASEAN members politically. The goals will be regional, not national. Rather silly and useless it is for the reds to get involved in this.

It's not as if any of ASEAN member nations are good examples of democracy. If anything seeking an alliance with any ASEAN member would only stain the reds professed love of 'people power.'

[hammered]

From 10:30am this morning we will submit letter to Embassy of Cambodia. Next is to Embassy of Laos. At 11:30am, we will submit letter to Embassy of Vietnam.

Letters say that we DO NOT do anything to stop the ASEAN Summit but are shy having the lousy Foreign Minister Kasit and blind Abhisit who appointed the guy to this position. So we will protest.

If any expert still cuts and pastes the news saying we urge 9 countries to boycott the Summit, I understand you are blind, deaf or you are stupid not to understand the truth or you want to make us, the reds, look bad.

Surely an ASEAN summit hosted in Thailand is a good thing, whether it's the Demos or Peua Thai in charge. It's not as if one Thai party or another can influence ASEAN members politically. The goals will be regional, not national. Rather silly and useless it is for the reds to get involved in this.

It's not as if any of ASEAN member nations are good examples of democracy. If anything seeking an alliance with any ASEAN member would only stain the reds professed love of 'people power.'

Considering the current economic climate and the tourist problems it is probably even more important that it goes smoothly in Thailand. However, disruptions and demos are not usually based on rational thought but on emotional things so........