Regional leaders to meet in Phuket

PHUKET TOWN: The Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit will be held in Phuket from February 5 to 9 next year, a spokesperson from the Phuket Governor’s Office told the Gazette today. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his counterparts from the other four countries – along with those of Nepal and Bhutan, which are not formal members of the organization – will meet to discuss key regional issues at the meeting at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort. This Thursday, the Director-General of the Protocol Department, Foreign Affairs Ministry and 20 ministry officials will come to Phuket for a meeting to prepare for the summit. Vice-Governor Niran Kalayanamit will help plan the summit.