Gazette: Abhisit, in Phuket, confirms Security Act for Asean summits

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MAI KHAO, PHUKET: Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed the government intends to invoke the Internal Security Act during the Asean summits scheduled to be held at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort in mid-June.The announcement came at a press conference at Phuket International Airport last night.PM Abhisit was on his way back to the capital following a secret vacation in Phuket. He and his family stayed at the Sri Panwa villa resort in tambon Wichit for two nights from Friday.Phuket will host the twice-postponed Asean+3 and Asean+6 summits, PM Abhisit confirmed. PM Abhisit, looking refreshed and relaxed last night, expressed confidence it would be ?third time lucky? with Phuket as the host.The government is going full steam ahead in preparing security for the event, he added.?We already sent Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban to Phuket on May 2 to explain to local leaders the importance of these meetings for Thailand to regain the trust of the international community,? he said. Mr Suthep, the Cabinet member in charge of national security issues, has had first-hand experience of the dangers the red-shirts could present. He and PM Abhisit were riding in the same car when it was attacked by red-shirted protesters outside the Interior Ministry in one of the many violent episodes that marred this year?s Songkran celebrations. PM Abhisit told reporters last night that he believed the people of Phuket would throw their full support behind the regional gathering ? a feeling shared by people across the country. Invoking the Internal Security Act is at the request of officers in charge of national security issues, PM Abhisit said.General Anupong Paochinda, the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army, said last Friday that local police alone might not be enough to ensure adequate security. ?This Act will help government mobilize the other state agencies to ensure the meetings go smoothly,? PM Abhisit said.The Act will empower those agencies with added control over roads, communications and other areas vital to security during the event. ?The government will send a draft of the security act to Parliament, which is expected to pass a resolution on the issue by the end of the month. We will then issue a formal announcement as to why the measures are necessary,? he said.?Tourism has been impacted by past riots. If we host these meetings successfully, it will enhance the image of Phuket and Thailand in general as a safe place to visit,? he added. Some Asean leaders have already confirmed their attendance while others were still considering scheduling and other issues that might influence whether or not they can attend, he said.The government would use the lessons learned in Pattaya in planning better security for delegates this time around, he said.?I trust that the people of Phuket ? and all Thai people ? don?t want a repeat of the last time,? he said.

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VDO on National News Bureau Public Relations Department or YouTube - Andaman News Tues 12 May: 7 items


item--1- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is confident that Phuket is prepared to be a host venue for the ASEAN summit with dialogue partners and called for Thais to unite and be good hosts.

After spending a private weekend on vacation with his family in the resort island of Phuket, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on his departure gave an interview to local media at the airport saying that he had enjoyed the vacation and had a good rest. Asked about the ASEAN summit which is scheduled to take place in Phuket on June 13-14th, Mr.Abhisit expressed his confidence that the province is prepared and ready to host the summit. He said he learnt that the local provincial authority, local governments, business sector and residents welcome the summit. He said he is certain that the meeting in Phuket will be a success and should restore foreign confidence in Thailand. The prime minister also stressed that any international conference in Thailand is seen as a good opportunity for Thais to reflect the identity of Thainess and hospitality and he urges all Thais to join the government to be good hosts for this summit.

Item--2- Phuket Governor insists Phuket’s readiness to host ASEAN summit with dialogue partners and plans a mass vow in support of the summit.

Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob reaffirmed Phuket’s readiness to host the 14th ASEAN summit with dialogue partners, namely China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India in mid June. The summit will be held at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa located on Karon beach. In the lead up to the summit, among several activities to encourage local people to be good hosts, the governor plans a huge assembly of all parties on May 22nd to vow that they will fully support the summit and will be good hosts and ensure that the summit runs smoothly. Government officials, local government leaders and officials, members of the private sector, students and teachers plus members of the public are invited. The governor calls for multi sector collaboration, regardless of whatever their political belief is. Mr. Wichai went on to point out that if the ASEAN summit in Phuket went smoothly, it will greatly boost and revive tourism as well as restore foreign tourists and investors’ confidence in Thailand. The governor is calling a meeting with related agencies today Tuesday to assign and follow up preparation work focussed on landscaping and beatification of roads and both sides from the airport to the hotel for meeting and accommodation. He also follows up publicity to campaign for residents to join with the authority to give an impressive welcome to visitors. On the police side, police region 8 held a training session to review its officers’ skills in controlling or handling big crowds or mobs. Around 300 officers from the Phuket provincial police attended the training.

Item--3- A Phuket MP reassures that local people are willing to collaborate with the government to host the ASEAN summit with dialogue partners.

Phuket representative from Democrat Party Tossaporn Theppabutr insists Phuket’s readiness to host the ASEAN summit with dialogue partners on June 13-14 saying that after the meeting with local community leaders, organizations and residents, they expressed positive attitudes and welcomed the meeting. He said people he met said they are ready to give collaboration to the government to gear up for the success of the summit. Tossaporn confirms that Phuket is well prepared in many aspects whether convention facilities or accommodation etc.. On the local government side, the Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukhaban voiced his full support that Phuket can host the international conference, saying that such an important conference will boost Phuket’s reputation and reassure visitors of safety and security. He also called for multi-sectors in Phuket to be good hosts for the summit.

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