PM to discuss security plans for ASEAN summit with military

BANGKOK, 2 October 2009 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva calls a meeting between military top brasses on Friday to discuss security measures for the 15th ASEAN Summit in Thailand.

The meeting will seek to formulate measures to assure maximum security for the summit delegates. It has been speculated that the government may enforce the Internal Security Act in the meeting’s venues to prevent anti-government protesters from obstructing the summit. It is planned to be held in Cha-am and Hua Hin districts of Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces respectively from 23-25 October 2009.

The 14th ASEAN Summit in April this year was canceled as anti-government protesters from the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship were breaking into the summit’s venue at Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya, Chon Buri province. The incident prompted the government to activate the Internal Security Act in the area.

Prime Minister Abhisit also declined to talk to the press about the rumors that his Secretary-General Niphon Promphan would resign from the post allegedly due to their disagreement over the selection of a new national police chief.