FOUR SUSPECTS HELD AHEAD OF CLINTON VISIT

By D. Arul Rajoo

PHUKET, July 21 (Bernama) -- Thai security forces have detained four people
believed to be planning to instigate unrest during the Asean foreign ministers
meeting here, the Nation daily reported.

The daily quoted Navy Commander in Chief Adm Kamthorn Pumhirun as saying
that the suspects were detained during a search at the Muslim-populated Yao
island in Phang Nga province near here.

They were questioned on suspicion that they may be involved in an attempt to
instigate unrest in the ongoing meeting, the Nation said on its website.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to arrive here Wednesday
to join foreign ministers from the 10-member Asean, as well as from the regional
grouping's dialogue partners.

The week-long meeting which started last Friday, consists of the 42nd Asean
Ministerial Meeting, Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC) and the Asean Regional
Forum (ARF).

Last week, nine people were killed during bombings at two American hotels in
Jakarta.

These are the first Asean meetings to be held by Thailand after a huge
humiliation in April where the host was forced to abort the East Asian Summit
in Pattaya after thousands of anti-government red shirted protesters stormed
the venue.

Thousands of soldiers and police stood guard around Phuket island,
especially at routes to the meeting venue at Laguna Phuket where bomb detectors
were used to scan incoming vehicles and numerous road blockades were set up.
Navy boats and helicopters were deployed, as well.

In Bangkok, several dozen red-shirted supporters of ousted premier Thaksin
Shinawatra demonstrated near the Government House where Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva's office is located.

The group, which demanded the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Suthep
Thaugsuban and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, vowed to stay there until the
arrival of Clinton, who is scheduled to meet Abhisit at 5pm.
-- BERNAMA