Defense Minister checks Phuket’s preparedness for hosting international talks

PHUKET, 29 June 2009 (NNT) – Armed Forces Chiefs follow up the security preparatuibs in Phuket where the ASEAN and dialogue partners meetings scheduled to take place during July 17-23.

Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan together with Permanent Secretary for Defense General Apichart Penkitti, Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jaggabatara, Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda, and Navy Chief Admiral Kamthorn Phumhiran travelled to Phuket to observe the readiness of the province for holding international meetings. According to the schedule, the province would be a venue for the 42nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) and 16th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) during July 17-23. Gen. Prawit stated that this itinerary in Phuket was to make sure that the province is ready to organize the international talks.

Concerning the request made by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) for the House dissolution, the Defense Minister believed the matter would not have an impact on the upcoming meetings as the holding of the international discussion would benefit the country. He hoped that most people would recognize that the meeting is for the best interest of the country and be cooperative in hosting the conferences.