Thailand To Announce New Asean Summit Dates Soon: Pm

[animatic]

ASEAN Summit security plan in place

Security arrangements for the resumed 14th ASEAN Summit, this time in Phuket, are complete and will be explained to foreign ambassadors, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Monday.

Mr Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, was speaking after a weekend trip to Phuket.

The main venue for the June meetings of ASEAN and its dialogue partners would be the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa. The press centre would be at a nearby hotel, he said.

Continued:

Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa homepage:

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/HKTH...rt-Spa/index.do

Nice place, been there a few times.

Reasonably good defensive logic, clear sight lines all around, controlled access,

deep into Phuket many places to bottleneck reds arriving. Lots of amenities too.

Should make the ASEAN minsiters feel good.

[sriracha john]

ASEAN Summit security plan in place

Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa homepage:

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/HKTH...rt-Spa/index.do

Nice place, been there a few times.

Reasonably good defensive logic, clear sight lines all around, controlled access,

deep into Phuket many places to bottleneck reds arriving. Lots of amenities too.

Should make the ASEAN ministers feel good.

How does the 5 km radius miscreant-free zone around it fit into its lay-out?

Discussing a request by some ASEAN countries to ban protests within a five-kilometer radius around the meeting venue in Phuket, the deputy prime minister said local authorities and residents are ready to cooperate with this request.

Edited May 4, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Mods:

With this latest information, please reconsider re-titling the thread with dates. Thank you.

*bump*

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deputy PM briefs ambassadors on Phuket ASEAN meeting

BANGKOK, May 4 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has briefed ambassadors from ASEAN member countries on the upcoming 14th ASEAN Summit preparations and security measures.

The meeting is to be held June 13-14 in Phuket.

The 14th ASEAN Summit was originally scheduled April 10-12 in the eastern resort town of Pattaya, but that meeting was cancelled unexpectedly on Apr 11 for safety reasons after anti-government protesters stormed the venue.

The deputy prime minister Monday invited the ASEAN diplomats to familiarise themselves with details of the planned summit in the company of Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan and commanders-in-chief who also attended the meeting.

Mr Thaugsuban's briefing came after his inspection trip Saturday to Phuket. He confirmed that all parties involved in hosting the meetings affirmed their commitment to ensuring the safety, security and comfort of their guests, at the same time upholding Thailand's reputation as a centre of first class hospitality.

The Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa on Phuket will be the venue for the meeting and accommodation for the ASEAN leaders will be provided at Patong and Karon beaches, locations deemed suitable for providing maximum security and checkpoints.

Discussing a request by some ASEAN countries to ban protests within a five-kilometer radius around the meeting venue in Phuket, the deputy prime minister said local authorities and residents are ready to cooperate with this request.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant security agencies will advise details of the summit and related security measures to the ambassadors of all participating countries to ensure maximum readiness, Mr. Suthep said.

With regards to the planned May 7-8 ASEAN public health ministers meeting hosted by Thailand to discuss the implications of the influenza A (H1N1) situation, Mr. Suthep said although anti-government protesters said they would not stage a protest, security measures will be implemented around the meeting venue to avoid any disruption.

-- TNA 2009-05-04

[jayboy]

They have way to many profitable business interests not to keep a toe in these waters.

Agreed, and they will not burn their boats with any of the major Thai factions, including Thaksin.

[sriracha john]

Red Shirt Network in Phuket not to Rally during ASEAN Summit

The red-shirt network in Phuket Province today announced that it would not hold protests during the ASEAN summit next month.

Wisut Tangwitthyaporn, a senior leader of the Phuket chapter of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, or DAAD, held a press conference today to affirm that the group would not stage an anti-government demonstration during the ASEAN Summit meetings next month in Phuket.

Wisut said the decision was based on the group's desire to help protect the country's interests and Phuket's economy.

Wisut said Phuket red shirts would try to convince national DAAD leaders not to protest in Phuket during the summit meetings.

During a recent rally, some DAAD leaders threatened to protest during the summit if the government failed to act against blue-shirt people who clashed with red shirts during the failed ASEAN Summit in Pattaya last month.

The Phuket red shirts also expressed their opposition to the government invoking the Internal Security Act ahead of the summit for security purpose, saying it would hurt tourism.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of the 8th Provincial Police Bureau, Police Lieutenant-General Santhan Chayanont, today launched a crowd-control training exercise for 300 policemen assigned to provide security during the summit. The task force will be trained in methods ranging from negotiating tactics to forced dispersal of protesters according to international standards.

-- Tan Network 2009-05-12

Edited May 12, 2009 by sriracha john

[Scott]

I either read or heard today that the Thai gov't is letting members bring their own armed guards. Unlike the Thai officials, they are likely to hit a target rather than shoot themselves in the foot!

[sriracha john]

Foreign Armed Guards Allowed in ASEAN Summit

National leaders from participating countries will be permitted to bring their own armed bodyguards for personal security during the ASEAN Summit meetings in Phuket next month. However, they will be required to co-operate with Thai security forces and comply with terms of a mutual security agreement in place for the Summit.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of national security affairs, confirmed that armed security personnel from ASEAN member states and their dialogue counterparts would be permitted to provide security for national leaders during the ASEAN Summit meetings in Phuket next month.

However, Suthep said the foreign bodyguards must comply with restrictions agreed to under a mutual security pact, including co-operation on certain issues with Thai security forces.

Suthep again confirmed that the government would invoke the Internal Security Act and place the military in charge of security for the summit.

The precautionary move is intended to avoid a possible repeat of last month's chaos in Pattaya, in which anti-government protesters stormed the venue where the ASEAN Summit meetings were scheduled to be held, leading to the evacuation of national leaders and the cancellation of the summit.

Suthep said details of the security plan for the Summit would be presented to the Cabinet tomorrow. He said the government is also waiting for approval of security measures by participating countries before the plans for the summit are finalized. The summit meetings would be attended by leaders of all 10 ASEAN member states and their six dialogue partners, including China and Japan.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party MP Ratchadaporn Kaewsanit said local leaders of the anti-government Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, or DAAD, appear to be mobilizing red-shirt supporters in southern provinces ahead of the Summit.

Local security forces have been warned to closely monitor signs of potential unrest during the summit.

However, senior DAAD leader Jatuporn Phrompan has insisted that red-shirt protesters would not attempt to demonstrate in Phuket during the ASEAN Summit.

He suggested there was no need for the government to spend additional money on security for the Summit, and warned that the government might try to blame the red shirts if the government failed to hold a successful Summit.

-- Tan Network 2009-05-12

[Koo82]

Good luck this time. Hope Kasit and his wife won't have to be carried to a speed boat again:

[Koo82]

Suthep said details of the security plan for the Summit would be presented to the Cabinet tomorrow.

No more blues to go out in Phuket?

[Koo82]

Mr Kasit, who is on a one-week official visit to the USA, was speaking after a meeting with Mrs Clinton.

...

he said. "Some parts of the constitution will be amended to enhance the democratic system."

Is it clear that the Constitution Law written by army after the coup does not enhance democratic system?

[sriracha john]

No plan to disrupt Summits : Phuket red shirts

Red shirts in Phuket vowed on Tuesday that they have no plans to cause a disturbance during the ASEAN Summit rescheduled to be held next month on the island.

They conveyed the message during a meeting with Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop, Phuket Gazette online reported on Tuesday.

They submitted a letter to the Governor which said they would not do anything to destroy Phuket's reputation during the Summit to be held on June 13 and 14.

The group's leader, Wisut Tangwittayaporn, said: "We will not rally or do anything to destroy the reputation of Phuket and Thailand during the meetings. We will cooperate with the people of Phuket to prevent the "other colour" group from causing any disturbance during the meetings," he said.

The Governor was quoted as saying he wanted nothing more than the Summits to go smoothly.

"If everyone comes together to host a successful series of meetings, it will benefit the entire island by enhancing Phuket's reputation as a safe tourist destination," he said.

If any Phuket people are unhappy about the meetings, they should drive the Governor off the island rather than take part in anti-government demonstrations, he added.

Wisut said his group continued to oppose the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and its decision to invoke the Internal Security Act in Phuket during the meeting.

"The Security Act will impact tourism in Phuket. Tourists will be frightened when they land at Phuket International Airport and see soldiers armed with assault rifles," he said.

Given that Phuket and six other nearby provinces are the power base of the Democrat Party, there is no reason to invoke the Act in Phuket or surrounding provinces.

While admitting to his role in mobilising red-shirt followers to take part in demonstrations at the aborted summit in Pattaya over the Songkran holiday, he insisted his goal is political reconciliation across the entire country.

To achieve this, Prime Minister Abhisit must call on his party members to stop accusing the red shirts of being the cause of violence, he said.

"If his party members don't stop barking at the red shirts, there is no way to have reconciliation in Thailand," said Wisut, who in 2007 ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation during a by-election in District 1.

He came in third with just 273 votes to 839 for the winner, Democrat Party member Somkuan Tansakul.

-- The Nation 2009-05-13

[sriracha john]

National Police Chief assures entry of armed personnel for ASEAN Summits common practice

BANGKOK, 13 May 2009 (NNT) -The Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol. Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan indicates that permission for ASEAN leaders to enter the country with armed guards is a common practice but will require a detailed list of the arms used.

The Police Chief stated that the Government's permission for national leaders to attend the upcoming ASEAN +3 and +6 Summits with their own personal armed guards was a standard practice that merely was never a point of public interest.

Pol. Gen. Patcharawat assured that the entry of all weapons into Thailand by foreign security personnel must pass through customs regulations and conform to protocols that include the submission of detailed reports of all arms used.

-- NNT 2009-05-13

[Scott]

I have a sense that what they are asking for is more than standard practice, otherwise I don't think it would be noteworthy.

[h90]

Mr Kasit, who is on a one-week official visit to the USA, was speaking after a meeting with Mrs Clinton.

...

he said. "Some parts of the constitution will be amended to enhance the democratic system."

Is it clear that the Constitution Law written by army after the coup does not enhance democratic system?

Which Army wrote a constitution ?

You may read how it was done and what percentage of the population voted with YES even your dear leader tried to make it fail.

[phaethon]

Now the summit is being delayed until October. I think that is still broadly low-ish season, but:

1) It's a blow to the hoteliers etc. who were looking for a boost in these rough times.

2) If things go pear-shaped again (memories of Pattaya having faded) there will be next to no time left to rebuild reputations before high-season will be hit.

If I were the Phuket tourist authority I'd seriously consider telling the government thanks but no-thanks on October.

[JetsetBkk]

Now the summit is being delayed until October. I think that is still broadly low-ish season, but:

1) It's a blow to the hoteliers etc. who were looking for a boost in these rough times.

2) If things go pear-shaped again (memories of Pattaya having faded) there will be next to no time left to rebuild reputations before high-season will be hit.

If I were the Phuket tourist authority I'd seriously consider telling the government thanks but no-thanks on October.

Yes, it's definitely still in the Low Season (sorry) Green Season (sorry again) Summer Season because the "official" high season starts on November 1st, although tourists don't start to come in great numbers until about December 15th.

Unfortunately, it's not up to the tourist authority - some ASEAN members have other commitments.

[sbk]

Now covered here: Asean Summit Is Delayed Again To October