Asean summit to be held in Thailand's Hua Hin city

Bangkok, Jan 7 (Xinhua) Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Wednesday announced that the 14th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will be held in Hua Hin town and not in the Thai capital as planned earlier.

He said the decision to shift the venue was taken in view of security reasons. The summit is scheduled to be held between Feb 27 and March 1. This was the third time Thai authorities have decided to change the venue.

Earlier, the authorities had decided to hold the summit in Chiang Mai City after protesters seized the Government House, seat of the government, in the Thai capital to protest against the former government led by Somchai Wongsawat.

Wongsawat was disqualified last December after a three-month premiership.

Thailand took over the 10-member Asean chairmanship from Singapore last July.

Hua Hin is a popular beach resort town in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, some 200 km south of Bangkok.