December 25, 2008	Thursday	Zilhaj 26, 1429

BANGKOK, Dec 24: Thailand has set new dates for the delayed summit of Southeast Asian nations in Bangkok, a minister said on Wednesday.

The 14th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will now go ahead on Feb 13-15.

The foreign ministry had earlier mentioned the dates of Feb 24-26 but the plan had to be dropped because it was not convenient for some member nations and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva wanted to make it earlier.

“The new summit dates are Feb 13-15,” Boonchong Wongtrairat, deputy interior minister told reporters, adding that the exact location in Bangkok has not yet been finalised.

“The government wants Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre but it is already booked, so we will have to negotiate,” he said.

The meeting was delayed from mid-December amid political turmoil in Thailand including the occupation of the capital’s airports, which led to the toppling of the ruling party loyal to ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.—AFP