Thailand geared up to host 15th ASEAN Summit

Bangkok, 5 October, 2009 (NNT) –Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs Vitavas Srivihok has asserted that Thailand has the readiness for the 15th ASEAN summit, which will help boost regional trading and investment in the region.

Mr. Vitavas Srivihok said Thailand is all geared up to host the most significant event of the grouping, to be held during October 23-25, in Hua Hin, Cha-am district, Phetchaburi province. Preparations run well both in terms of security measures and facilities to ensure convenience and safety for all leaders and delegates from 16 participating countries which are the 10 ASEAN members and dialogue partners including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India.

He said topics to be discussed would be mainly continual issues from the previous forum such as the materialization of ASEAN charter, the establishment of an ASEAN human rights committee in Thailand, a study to stabilize the grouping, food and energy security, the spreading of various diseases, and joint efforts to solve the global economic crisis. Moreover, he said Thailand would encourage meetings between representatives of the social sector and the 10 ASEAN leaders, to promote public participation in such regional gathering. The talks are expected to result in boosted regional trading and investment in the long run.

The Director-General also asked all Thais to be good hosts as the summit provides another important occasion for Thailand to speed up the national economic recovery. He said, besides, that a special traffic plan has been laid in store to facilitate all delegates, the media and local people.