On 10 April 2009 at 12.45 hrs., Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, Deputy Prime Minister, gave a press briefing at the Media Centre of the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Pattaya, stressing that the meeting will proceed as scheduled.
The Deputy Prime Minister said all leaders will be arriving at U-Tapao Airport and be escorted by Thai officials to the meeting venue at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. He noted that seven ASEAN Leaders are scheduled to arrive in Pattaya today. The first leader to arrive was the Cambodian Prime Minister, while the Vietnamese Prime Minister is on the way.
At present, a number of demonstrators wearing red shirts have gathered in front of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. The Government is trying to resolve the situation peacefully, with the police chief leading negotiations for the way to be opened for leaders to enter the meeting venue. It is hoped that the demonstrators will cooperate with the authorities for the sake of the country. The Deputy Prime Minister also said that he is ready to talk with the demonstrators on their demands.
In response to questions by the press, the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated the need to open the way for the leaders to enter the meeting venue, noting that the Thai authorities will exercise utmost restraint and try to resolve the situation through negotiation, otherwise another way would have to be found to open the way. He reaffirmed the Government’s determination to ensure that the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, scheduled to begin today with the Informal Dinner among the ASEAN Leaders, proceed successfully.
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