ID :
71776
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 17:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/71776
The shortlink copeid
Military security withdrawing from Phuket as ASEAN winds down
PHUKET, July 23 (TNA) - Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan announced on Wednesday the Thai military will withdraw troops from the resort island of Phuket beginning at midnight, after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting with its dialogue partners comes to a close.
Gen. Prawit said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjiva will lift the imposition of the Internal Security Act, in force since July 10, to prevent any gathering which may disrupt the ASEAN ministerial meetings in Phuket.
The defence minister also affirmed that no bomb was found in the suspicious motorcycle parked near the meeting complex.
Thai security forces earlier found a motorbike abandoned around 300 metres from the Sheraton Grand Laguna Hotel where the foreign ministers from 27 countries including the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are attending the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
"Security personnel decided to destroy the motorbike for safety reasons", Gen. Prawit said.
Preliminary investigation, he said, indicated the motorcycle might have carried chemical fertiliser with some residues similar to those use to make explosive device were detected and then the alarm went off. Its owner is a carpenter working at a local hotel.
The Thai defence minister added the foreign ministers understand that what the Thai authorities have done strictly follow the highest level of security measures which have been usually imposed for the international meeting.
Roads within a three-kilometre radius of the meeting complex have been closed as a security precaution. Police used a high-pressure water gun to cut the electronics of possible explosive devices and destroyed the motorcycle.
First Regional Army Commander Lt-Gen. Kanit Sapitak said the motorcycle's owner who is a local resident told police he had to leave his motorcycle unattended there because of a punctured tyre.
There might be explosive residues left in the motorcycle, prompting the bomb alarm to be set off, Gen. Kanit said.
He said the Thai police will investigate further investigation, but initially it is not likely that the motorcycle's owner intended to cause chaos or disrupt the meeting.
"We apologise for causing any fright," said Gen. Kanit, "but this shows that our security measures are well-prepared and efficient." (TNA)
Gen. Prawit said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjiva will lift the imposition of the Internal Security Act, in force since July 10, to prevent any gathering which may disrupt the ASEAN ministerial meetings in Phuket.
The defence minister also affirmed that no bomb was found in the suspicious motorcycle parked near the meeting complex.
Thai security forces earlier found a motorbike abandoned around 300 metres from the Sheraton Grand Laguna Hotel where the foreign ministers from 27 countries including the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are attending the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
"Security personnel decided to destroy the motorbike for safety reasons", Gen. Prawit said.
Preliminary investigation, he said, indicated the motorcycle might have carried chemical fertiliser with some residues similar to those use to make explosive device were detected and then the alarm went off. Its owner is a carpenter working at a local hotel.
The Thai defence minister added the foreign ministers understand that what the Thai authorities have done strictly follow the highest level of security measures which have been usually imposed for the international meeting.
Roads within a three-kilometre radius of the meeting complex have been closed as a security precaution. Police used a high-pressure water gun to cut the electronics of possible explosive devices and destroyed the motorcycle.
First Regional Army Commander Lt-Gen. Kanit Sapitak said the motorcycle's owner who is a local resident told police he had to leave his motorcycle unattended there because of a punctured tyre.
There might be explosive residues left in the motorcycle, prompting the bomb alarm to be set off, Gen. Kanit said.
He said the Thai police will investigate further investigation, but initially it is not likely that the motorcycle's owner intended to cause chaos or disrupt the meeting.
"We apologise for causing any fright," said Gen. Kanit, "but this shows that our security measures are well-prepared and efficient." (TNA)
