Friday, 28 November 2008

Thai Protests Could Postpone ASEAN Meeting

Thailand's Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat (file photo)


By VOA News
27 November 2008

Thailand says it may have to postpone a regional meeting set to take place next month because of the anti-government protests.

The Thai foreign minister said Thursday the unstable political situation in Bangkok may make hosting the annual summit of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in mid-December too difficult.

Officials from Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos first suggested postponing the summit, saying it is important that it be successful. The three countries have already contacted the ASEAN secretary-general with their concerns.

The summit had been set to take place in Bangkok from December 15 - 18. But Thailand's government changed the venue to the northern city of Chiang Mai last month.

Officials say they made the change because of concerns about the weather. Reports from the region say ongoing anti-government protests were also a key factor.

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