December 15, 2008
BANGKOK (AFP) - Newly elected Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday he wants a postponed summit of Southeast Asian nations to take place in February.
Thailand earlier this month delayed the meeting of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) until March because of a blockade of Bangkok's airports.
The previous government had also moved the summit to the northern city of Chiang Mai because of the political turmoil engulfing Thailand, the ASEAN chair.
"I will push to move the ASEAN summit to February because late January is Chinese New Year -- and I will likely not choose Chiang Mai as the venue for the meeting," Abhisit told reporters.
"As far as I know, there are a lot of problems if we hold the meeting in Chiang Mai," he said.
Abhisit did not elaborate but Chiang Mai is a stronghold of the former government of exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Lawmakers voted for opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit to become the new prime minister earlier Monday, nearly two weeks after a court dissolved the former ruling party, which was loyal to Thaksin.
The ASEAN summit will also involve the group's dialogue partners, including China, South Korea, Japan and India, as well as the United Nations secretary general and chiefs of other international organisations.
