Asean summit moved to beach town

Bangkok: Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he had decided to move the venue of a regional summit to a resort town 200 km from the capital to avoid disruption by anti-government protesters.

Abhisit told reporters the former fishing village of Hua Hin, 125 miles southwest of Bangkok, was the best venue to host the summit of the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) from February 27 to March 1.

"It has the best environment that should provide a smooth summit," he said. The beachside town is also the habitual home of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Abhisit acknowledged that threatened street protests were behind the decision to switch the venue from Bangkok.

Thailand holds the rotating chair of Asean and the summit had been planned for December, but protests against the previous government caused it to be postponed.