Navy closes island near ASEAN venues amid reports of possible unrest

PHUKET: -- The Thai Navy on Tuesday closed a resort island in Phangnga province, near Phuket where the ministerial meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and related meetings are being held, and arrested four men amid reports of possible insurgent disruption, while security has been tightened to the utmost at the ASEAN meeting venues.

Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Kamthorn Pumhiran said that Yao Island in Phangnga province was closed to search for drugs.

But there are also reports of a possible incident, the Naval chief said, noting that four men have been arrested.

"We are now investigating whether the four are related to any international terrorist group or to the southern insurgency. The Royal Thai Navy is now searching the island for more information," Admiral Kamthorn said.

"Although details are still unclear", said the Navy chief, "security has been tightened around Phuket island where the ASEAN meetings are being held."

Following the report regarding possible violence, an additional number of police officers and soldiers were deployed at the ASEAN venues in Phuket, especially at Laguna Beach Resort Hotel where the foreign ministers from five countries will stay over including United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Every car entering ASEAN meetings hotel compounds must pass bomb check spots, while persons entering the hotel must also pass security checks.

-- TNA 2009-07-21

Suspects detained after search on Muslim-populated island in Pang Nga

Four men detained for questioning whether they tried to create chaos in Asean meeting in Phuket

PHANG NGA: -- Thai joint forces have detained three to four suspects for interrogration after searching Yao Island in Pang Nga province on Monday night, Navy Commander in Chief Adm Kamthorn Pumhirun said Tuesday.

They were questioned on suspicion that they may try to instigate chaos in the ongoing Asean Foreign Ministers' meeting in Phuket.

Adm Kamthorn said that the joint forces conducted the search on the Muslim-populated island on Monday night after receiving a tip-off.

He confirmed that three to four men were detained for questioning. He declined to confirm earlier news report that the men had in possession gas tanks.

-- The Nation 2009-07-21

41 minutes ago

Reuter news reporters have filed a story about a loud blast heard near the venue of the ASEANa meeting i, but the cause was not immediately clear

Reuters reporters could hear the blast from a luxury hotel complex where the meeting was taking place.