Asean ends, troops leave Phuket

PHUKET: As of midnight last night, the tight security surrounding the Asean venue for the past two weeks in Phuket was relaxed.

Troops began packing up at midnight last night as the Asean Foreign Ministers Meetings officially ended and the Internal Security Act was lifted.

The Internal Security Act was enforced for the very first time in Phuket from July 10 to 24 to ensure the safety of Asean delegates while they met at Laguna Phuket.

Security arrangements on the island included the drafting in of 9,000 military personnel and an additional 1,000 police officers.

Troops stationed in the Cherng Talay area began packing up their equipment and loading it onto trucks at midnight last night, ready to leave at first light this morning, but not before giving schools in the area a quick clean-up.

Vehicle checkpoints manned by police officers in surrounding districts were also abandoned.

However, security checkpoints inside Laguna Phuket remained operational today to ensure continued protection for the foreign ministers extending their stay in Phuket.

— Khunakorn Terdkiatkhachorn