PM stressed need to inform public on benefits of hosting ASEAN Summit

BANGKOK, March 12 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-Ocha, in his capacity as chairman of the organising committee for the ASEAN Summit in 2019, chaired a meeting at Government House today to prepare the details of the upcoming summit. Thailand will be handed over the ASEAN chairmanship from Singapore at the ASEAN summit in Singapore this November. Gen Prayut said two major meetings will be held in 2019 which will be followed by a number of smaller conferences. As such Gen Prayut stated that he wanted everyone to help ensure the success of this vital event. The PM says that he had already stressed that the organising committee must not only focus on Thailand or ASEAN's needs but greater emphasis must be placed on a global outlook and how ASEAN will fit in the bigger picture. He said the government along with the private sector and educational institutions must become involved in creating a public relations effort to educate the general public of the importance, opportunities and challenges involved with the ASEAN summit. (TNA)