Anti-gov't protesters not allowed to disrupt ASEAN Summit: Thai Deputy PM

BANGKOK, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Monday the government will not let the anti-government protesters to disrupt the forthcoming ASEAN Summit.

The Thai government has well prepared security forces to maintain law and order at the venues of the ASEAN Summit and related meetings, Thai News Agency quoted Suthep as saying.

The chaos, created by the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group, or red-shirted people, during the ASEAN Summit in Pattaya, won't be allowed to repeat at the forthcoming ASEAN Summit, Suthep said.

In mid-April, the Thai government had to cancel the ASEAN Summit hosted in eastern beach town Pattaya after several thousands of the red-shirted people stormed into the Summit's venues.

On Saturday, Arisman Pongreungrong, a UDD core leader, said he will lead the red-shirted protesters to hand in a letter to the ASEAN leaders demanding the Thai government to conduct a referendum to seek public opinion on the 1997 and 2007 constitution.

But, Suthep said Arisman will not be allowed to do so since he has already damaged the country after Arisman led the red-shirted protesters to storm in to the ASEAN Summit's venues in Pattaya.

Moreover, in a bid to maintain security, the Internal Security Act (ISA) has been imposed by the Thai government from Oct. 12 until 27 at the venues of the Summit and related meetings.

The ISA law has prohibited any protest inside or in areas surrounding the ASEAN Summit and related venues.

Thailand's army chief General Anupong Paojinda said that involved security authorities have prepared in order to facilitate the government to host the ASEAN Summit smoothly.

Also, the army has asked the local people to help the security forces to monitor the situation closely, said General Anupong.

Thailand, which is the 2009 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, will also host the 15th ASEAN Summit and related meetings during Oct. 23-25 in southern beach resort town Cha-am and Hua Hin.