The Director-General of the Department of Information and spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) disclosed that Thailand is ready to host the 35th ASEAN Summit and related meetings from November 2 – 4, 2019.

Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Director-General of the Department of Information and spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Thailand will host the 35th ASEAN Summit and related meetings from November 2 – 4, 2019, in Bangkok.

It will be attended by many leaders from 10 ASEAN member countries and those from China, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, India and the United Nations.

Two-day holiday for all government offices

The cabinet has also approved a two-day holiday for all government offices in Bangkok and Nonthaburi province during the Asean summit and other meetings to be held at Impact Muang Thong Thani early next month.

Deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul said on Tuesday the cabinet had endorsed a Foreign Ministry proposal for Nov 4 and 5 to be extra holidays for state offices in the capital and Nonthaburi as Muang Thong Thani will host the summit of Southeast Asian Nation leaders and other related meetings.

The two-day holiday, which gives government workers a four-day weekend, would ease traffic congestion  and make it easier for Asean leaders and other participants to move to and from the venue, she said.

The decision applies only to government offices. The cabinet left it to state enterprises, banks, private businesses and the Bank of Thailand to make their own decisions on whether to follow suit.

At the meeting, the leaders will discuss cooperation, under Thailand’s chairmanship, and building stability in a sustainable manner, border management, cyber security, transnational crimes, disasters, sustainable development, economic promotion, the 4th industrial revolution, preparation for the new generation, digital transformation, the use of technology and digital innovation, promotion of education and care for all groups of people.

It is also expected that ASEAN will issue a joint statement regarding the response to climate change.