Thailand sets up special air taskforce for ASEAN Summit

BANGKOK, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Thai Air Force has set up a special taskforce at the Hua Hin Airport to assist the security operations during the 15th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which are to be held from Oct. 21 to 25 in the neighboring resort towns of Hua Hin and Cha-am, Thai media reported Monday.

The Nation online quoted deputy Air Force spokesman Group Captain Monthol Satchuakorn as saying that the taskforce will be in charge of the security for the airport and the air space above Hua Hin, 200 km southwest of Bangkok.

Surveillance planes capable of broadcasting the situation, together with helicopters, will be also on standby for fast deployments of Air Force military police and Ground Security forces to provide security for ASEAN leaders, Monthol said.

Navy chief Adm Kamthorn Poomhirun also said he had been instructed to ensure the safety of the seas near Hua Hin and Cha-am during the summit. At least 20 patrol boats were being deployed in the area, he said.

These are among the measures that Thailand has taken to ensure the success of the regional summit, including the imposing of Internal Security Act in Hua Hin and Cha-am from Monday to Oct. 27,two days after the summit ends.

The Thai cabinet on Tuesday will also consider invoking the special security law in Bangkok from Oct. 15 to 25, after the anti-government body, the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship or so-called red-shirts, announced their plan to hold a rally on Oct. 17.

The security for ASEAN meetings has always been the focus of intention since the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, scheduled on April 10-12 in another Thai resort Pattaya, had to becance led after a flock of UDD protesters managed to rush into the venue on April 11, hoping to press Abhisit to step down. Some ASEAN leaders had to be evacuated by helicopters and boats.