The Royal Thai Police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have confirmed their readiness to facilitate the flow of traffic and ensure security when the Thai government hosts the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits from October 31 to November 4, 2019.
The Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol. Gen. Suwat Chaengyotsuk, and the Chief of the ASEAN Operation Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held a press conference today to announce their readiness to oversee road traffic and security during the ASEAN Summit next month. During the press conference, relevant agencies conducted a rehearsal by dispatching 100 cars to different locations, including Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, 15 hotels in central Bangkok and IMPACT Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi province.
Pol. Gen. Suwat said almost 100% of security measures are in place, but there will be rehearsals and some adjustments until the summit starts. The intelligence situation remains normal, with some 17,000 police and military officers ready to provide security at meeting venues, hotels and nearby routes. Thai people are asked to be good hosts extending hospitality and a warm welcome to all delegates. They can call the emergency hotline at 191 or 1599 if they spot anything suspicious.
Pol. Gen. Suwat said a number of roads will be temporarily closed to traffic for some hours due to the ASEAN Summit, and commuters are advised to take alternative routes and plan their travels in advance.
Mr. Tharit said Thailand hosts the ASEAN Summit every 10 years. This is an important summit because Thailand is the current ASEAN Chair. Vietnam will assume the ASEAN Chair next year. More than 3,000 delegates, including world leaders and representatives of 23 countries and five international organizations, will attend the 35th ASEAN Summit. The event will be broadcast to 3 billion people worldwide. The event will affect the general public to some extent, but the government will try to minimize the impact. The event may put the public to some inconvenience in exchange for a positive impression by foreign dignitaries.
Potentially affected roads include:
Asoke Tollway entrance ramp
Sirat Expressway
Makkasan Interchange
Rama IV Tollway exit ramp
Rama IV Road (Sala Daeng Intersection – Ratchada Rama IV Intersection)
Ratchadaphisek Road (Ratchada Rama IV intersection – Asoke Intersection)
Sukhumvit Road (Asoke Intersection – Nana Intersection)
Ploenchit Road (Nana Intersection – Chidlom Intersection)
Rama I Road (Chidlom Intersection – Chaloem Phao Intersection)
Wireless Road Intersection; Ploenchit – Wireless Intersection
Ratchadamri Road (Ratchaprasong Intersection – Sala Daeng Intersection)
Silom Road (Nararom Intersection – Silom Intersection)
Charoen Krung Road (Surawong Intersection – Chalermphan Intersection)
Don Muang Tollway entrance connecting Din Daeng
Surawong Expressway (Phaya Thai level)
Sirat Expressway (Different levels Phayathai Express, Muang Thong Thani)
The bypass routes that people are advised to use include:
Phetchaburi Road
Rama IX Road
Ratchaprarop Road
Phaya Thai Road
Sathorn Road
Rama VI Road
Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Road
Phatthanakan Road
Srinagarindra Road
Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road
Phaholyothin Road
Ngamwongwan Road
Chaeng Watthana Road
The motorcades transporting world leaders will take place from 1 p.m. on November 1 to 8 p.m. on November 4.
During the ASEAN Summit, those who need to travel to central Bangkok, near hotels and venues attended by world leaders, are advised to avoid using personal vehicles. For more information, please call the 1197 hotline.
