Thailand is ready to host the 14th summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in late February, if all members and dialogue partners comply with the new date, officials said Saturday.
Thailand's foreign ministry has proposed holding the summit, which was initially scheduled for last month, on February 27, 28 and March 1, said Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya after holding talks with ASEAN secretary general Surin Pitsuwan on Saturday, dpa reported.
Thailand was forced to postpone hosting ASEAN's 14th summit last month owing to political chaos that peaked with the seizure of Bangkok's two airports on November 26 to December 3, leading to the downfall of the previous government.
The postponement raised questions about Thailand's suitability as host. Thailand is now under a new coalition government headed by Prime Minsiter Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the former opposition Democrat Party.
Surin, a Thai national and ex-member of the Democrat party, said Thailand should be given a chance to host the summit as the country had returned to normalcy.
"It is the first opportunity for Thailand to show that it has the stability to host a successful summit," Surin said after a meeting with Kasit, The Nation online news service reported.
Apparently all ASEAN members and all but one dialogue partner agreed to the February date for the summit. "Thailand is waiting for a positive answer from one dialogue partner," said Surin, declining to name the country.
ASEAN's dialogue partners include Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the US.