ASEAN Secretary-General confirms Thailand’s readiness to host AMM/PMC/ARF in Phuket

Thailand is ready to host the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, Post Ministerial Conferences and ASEAN Regional Forum, scheduled for 19 – 23 July 2009 in Phuket, said ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan at a press briefing.

“I can assure you all that Thailand’s preparation on the security arrangements is superb. I am most confident that the Meetings will proceed without disruption”, said the Secretary-General, who arrived in Phuket today.

Mr. Pitsuwan said the aim of his advance visit to Phuket, two days prior to the commencement of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, was to express his personal appreciation to all agencies involved in the preparations on the security arrangements.

The security arrangements had never before been an issue for Thailand until the event in Pattaya last April, which forced the cancellation of the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. 

The Secretary-General said his early visit to Phuket this time was very important as the island was announced as the venue for the next ASEAN Summits in October this year.