ABORTED ASEAN SUMMIT ON JUNE 13, 14 IN PHUKET

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, May 4 (Bernama) -- Thailand has proposed to hold the aborted Asean
+ 6 Summit on June 13 and 14 in the resort island of Phuket, Deputy Prime
Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Monday.

He, however, said the date depended on the availability of leaders from the
16 countries which comprise the 10 Asean members, China, Japan, South Korea,
Australia, New Zealand and India.

Suthep said ambassadors from the 15 foreign countries were informed about
the new date in a briefing at the foreign ministry today, where Defence
Minister Pravit Wongsuwan and top military brass were also present to assure
foreign countries that it was taking all the necessary security measures to
avoid a repeat of the April 11 incident in Pattaya.

"We informed them about the dates and we will wait for their confirmation.
The ambassadors expressed concern about security matters and we explained that
arrangements were being taken to ensure the safety of all the leaders and
delegates," he told a press conference after the briefing.

Suthep, who was in charge of security matters when anti-government
protesters
stormed the meeting venue in Pattaya and forced the summit's cancellation last
month, said the government was confident that the Thai people would take the
opportunity to redeem the battered image.

Thailand earlier wanted to host the summit early June, but found it not
suitable as Asean leaders would be attending the Asean-South Korea Commemorative
Summit in Jeju Island on June 1 and 2, while Malaysia would be busy with the
King's birthday celebration on June 6, and the Philippines, with its
Independence Day on June 12.

The leaders were supposed to sign several agreements in Pattaya, including
an investment pact between China and Asean.

Suthep said, while he was confident that there would be no similar protest
in Phuket during the summit, the authorities would impose a ban on
demonstrations within five kilometres of the conference venue at the Hilton
Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa.

Pravit said all three wings of the military would be involved in the
security operations in Phuket, adding that soldiers would be deployed at the
meeting venue, airport and hotels where the leaders would staying and routes to
be taken by the foreign dignataries.

While Phuket is expected to be free of protesters, both anti and
pro-government groups are likely to resume their street protests in the coming
days.

The red shirted-protesters, linked to ousted prime minister Thaksin
Shinawatra and involved in the rioting in Bangkok on April 13 and the Pattaya
incident, are planning a demonstration in the capital on Wednesday while the
yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are gathering on May 24 and
25.

-- BERNAMA