On 12 March 2009, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said during an interview that Thailand will host the 14th ASEAN Summit with dialogue partners, namely China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India, in Pattaya, Chonburi Province, during 10-12 April 2009. Gist as follows:
- After the Royal Thai Government had announced its intentions to convene the Summit in Phuket Province, the Foreign Ministry had dispatched a survey team to Phuket to prepare all the necessary details. However, the team found that, as the timing of the Summit was just before the Songkran Festival, most of the hotel rooms on the island were already booked.
- The Foreign Ministry then dispatched another team to survey the readiness of Pattaya and concluded that in terms of conference venues and accommodation facilities, Pattaya would be more convenient and ready to host the Summit. The Ministry therefore consulted with the Government and it was agreed that the Summit would be convened in Pattaya.
- In the lead up to the Summit, the Foreign Ministry will dispatch officials to make the necessary preparations and coordinate closely with the local authorities concerned in Pattaya. Collaboration and coordination will be under the supervision of one of the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretaries.
- In addition to the meetings with dialogue partners, ASEAN leaders will meet with Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations. There will also be a meeting with the heads of leading international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Wolrd Trade Organization (WTO), to discuss the current global financial crisis and other issues.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th
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