Bangkok Post
Tuesday November 25, 2008
Heamakarn Sricharatchanya
Jakarta – The ongoing political turmoil in Bangkok is not going to stop Thailand’s hosting of a summit of Southeast Asian nations that will be held in the northern province of Chiang Mai two weeks from now, the top official of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) said Tuesday.
The statement was made a day after about 18,000 protesters of People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) surrounded the parliament, forcing the parliament to cancel its joint session to consider legislation related to the Asean summit.
“The government is managing situation and the fact that they have moved the venue to Chiang Mai is making sure it is going to be smooth and away from any pressure,” Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan, former foreign minister, said during his meeting with reporters from Asean countries.
Mr Surin called the ongoing political tension in Thailand as “part of inconvenience of parliamentary democracy.”
“If it is a presidential system, you would not have the problem,” he said. “We have to live with that as long as it is constitutionally resolved.”
Earlier the day, Foreign Minister Tharit Charungvat expressed his confidence on Thailand’s readiness to host the summit. “Every country is confident that Thailand can host the meeting,” he said.
Two months ago, Cambodia said it was concerned about Thailand’s ability to host the summit, and even suggested Asean to consider a more stable host such as Singapore or Vietnam.
Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have turned sour following the border dispute over Preah Vihear temple. Asean itself has not been in a position to help solve the conflict because of Thailand’s decision to engage in bilateral talks with the neighbouring country.
“At least, the dispute has not flared up into the open. It hasn’t been resolved but it has been contained,” Mr Surin said. “And that is an achievement in itself.”
Tuesday November 25, 2008
Heamakarn Sricharatchanya
Jakarta – The ongoing political turmoil in Bangkok is not going to stop Thailand’s hosting of a summit of Southeast Asian nations that will be held in the northern province of Chiang Mai two weeks from now, the top official of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) said Tuesday.
The statement was made a day after about 18,000 protesters of People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) surrounded the parliament, forcing the parliament to cancel its joint session to consider legislation related to the Asean summit.
“The government is managing situation and the fact that they have moved the venue to Chiang Mai is making sure it is going to be smooth and away from any pressure,” Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan, former foreign minister, said during his meeting with reporters from Asean countries.
Mr Surin called the ongoing political tension in Thailand as “part of inconvenience of parliamentary democracy.”
“If it is a presidential system, you would not have the problem,” he said. “We have to live with that as long as it is constitutionally resolved.”
Earlier the day, Foreign Minister Tharit Charungvat expressed his confidence on Thailand’s readiness to host the summit. “Every country is confident that Thailand can host the meeting,” he said.
Two months ago, Cambodia said it was concerned about Thailand’s ability to host the summit, and even suggested Asean to consider a more stable host such as Singapore or Vietnam.
Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have turned sour following the border dispute over Preah Vihear temple. Asean itself has not been in a position to help solve the conflict because of Thailand’s decision to engage in bilateral talks with the neighbouring country.
“At least, the dispute has not flared up into the open. It hasn’t been resolved but it has been contained,” Mr Surin said. “And that is an achievement in itself.”
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