Thailand ready for ASEAN summit to be held in June in Phuket
Suthep Thaugsuban – Thai deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs said that Thailand is fully ready to host the ASEAN summit and other summits in mid-June. He has also agreed to Asian leaders bringing their own armed body guards provided they have the prior agreement of ASEAN.
The final date of the summit has not been confirmed as it must be convenient for the leaders from all 16 countries. The tentative date is 13th and 14th of June at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa.
The Thai government plan to enforce the provisions of the security bill when the ASEAN + 6 summit resumes in Phuket to ensure there is no repeat of fiasco in Pattaya when the red-shirt protestors led demonstration led to cancellation of the summit.
It is reported that red-shirt anti government protestors vowed that no action would be taken from their side to disturb the summit due to be held in Phuket in June. The leader of red-shirts met with the governor of Phuket Wichai Phraisa-ngop and assured him that nothing will be done to spoil the reputation of Phuket and Thailand while the summit is being held.
In addition to the 10 ASEAN countries, leaders from China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand will also attend the summit.