Dr Surin: bomb suspects just a misunderstanding

PHUKET, 21 July 2009 (NNT) – ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan has affirmed that the news of arrested suspects speculated to incite disturbances to the now hosting ASEAN meetings in Phuket was just a misunderstanding.

Earlier, it was reported that a group of suspects with gas cylinders were arrested by the Thai Navy in the southern province of Phang-nga. The gang was then speculated to be terrorists of the same gang detonating bombs in Jakarta of Indonesia, bidding to incite violence in the now going on ASEAN meetings in Phuket.

Dr Surin said he had already informed the ASEAN meetings that the arrest was a misunderstanding since the security officers were very strict in monitoring the situation to ensure confidence for ASEAN Foreign Ministers and delegates attending the meetings. He added that the Ministers in the meeting then complimented Thailand for its security measures.

The ASEAN Secretary-General said that actually it was not necessary to inform all irregularities to the meeting since there would be security affairs authorities taking care of the issue. He admitted that the stern measures enforced by Thailand were a good sign to more confidence in hosting the 15th ASEAN Summit this October.