VZCZCXRO2128
PP RUEHCHI
DE RUEHBK #0159/01 0220549
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 220549Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5741
RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 0509
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 5063
RUEHVN/AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 5276
RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR 7501
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 7034
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 7260
RUEHPF/AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH 2778
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 5470
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1327
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6703
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 9367
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 6091

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 000159 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM MARR TH
SUBJECT:   THAILAND CONFIRMS ASEAN SUMMIT'S DATES AND VENUE, LOOKS 
FORWARD TO ARF BUT HAS SOFA CONCERNS 
 
¶1.  (SBU) This is an action request; see para 9. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Summary.  Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) ASEAN Deputy 
Director-General (DDG) Manasvi Srisodapol confirmed to us in a 
mid-January discussion that the ASEAN Summit's venue and dates were 
set from February 27-March 1 to be held in Hua Hin.  He stated that 
the Summit will be split into two separate parts, with the "second 
phase" of meetings with partners to be held in the second part of 
April.  The degree of involvement of partner country Ambassadors to 
ASEAN had not yet been set. On ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) related 
developments, Thailand looked forward to serving as Co Chair for the 
Intersessional on Disaster Relief with the U.S. Thailand was 
concerned, however, about the lack of a Status of Forces Agreement 
(SOFA) which could facilitate more operational cooperation; for 
instance, the lack of a SOFA would prevent Thai military officials 
from participating in the ARF Disaster Relief Forum in the 
Philippines on May 4-8, 2009, though the Thai planned to send 
observers.  Manasavi asked how many nations had committed to the 
Philippine ARF Disaster Relief Forum and how they had dealt with the 
SOFA issue.  End Summary. 
 
ASEAN Summits 
------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Manasvi stated that the ASEAN Summit's venue and dates 
were set from February 27- March 1, to be held in the beach side 
resort city of Hua Hin.  The Summit aims to highlight the new 
Charter and focus on human rights via the terms of reference for the 
new human rights body.  However, there was no final plan for the 
"first phase," due to Malaysia still not sure how long it will 
attend, and no decision on ASEAN partner ambassador participation 
yet.  Currently, there are not plans to have a Gala opening dinner, 
just an opening dinner and 30 minute follow-on meeting, but that 
could change if PM Abhisit chose the opportunity to greet 
counterparts with more ceremony.  The ASEAN Summit will be split 
into two separate parts with the "second phase" of meetings with 
East Asian Summit countries and international bodies such as the UN 
to be held the second half of April, after the holiday season of 
Songkran.  The extended delay was due to Chinese (Party Congress 
meetings) and Australian inability to attend in early March, 
Malaysian elections, G-20 meetings, and Easter thereafter. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Manasvi explained that the ASEAN Summit venue had been 
changed from Bangkok to Hua Hin for three main reasons.  First, Hua 
Hin provides close access for a Royal audience.  Second, there was 
close proximity of an airport to the city.  Third, the beach resort 
trappings of the city provide a relaxing atmosphere.  Manasvi 
suggested that the conference hall and grounds at the Dusit Hua Hin 
seemed suitable for the Summit, but the official designation of the 
site has yet to be made. 
 
ARF - Disaster Relief and SOFA issue 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Manasvi stated that work on the ASEAN ARF/PMC was already 
moving forward, both on the ARF vision statement and plans for the 
ARF/PMC, starting with the SOM in May. He hoped Secretary of State 
Hillary Clinton would be able to attend the ASEAN ARF/PMC meetings 
in July. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Thailand was pleased to accept in principle the U.S. 
request to co Chair the ARF intersessional on disaster relief.  The 
MOD was keen on doing so.  For budgetary reasons, Thailand indicated 
it would be helpful if meetings before Sept 30 were hosted by the 
US; 2010 meetings could take place in Thailand. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Manasvi's colleague Suriya stated that the largest 
obstacle to Thailand's military participating in the ARF Disaster 
Relief Forum on May 4-8, 2009 in the Philippines was the lack of a 
SOFA with the Philippines.  Thailand's military was disinclined to 
actively participate without a SOFA, potential criminal protection 
rights for Thai military participants, etc.  However, Thailand was 
in favor of sending an observer team to the ARF Disaster Relief 
Forum.  Thailand viewed the SOFA issue as a long-term barrier to 
deepening and developing this sort of cooperation within the 
ASEAN/ARF framework between countries without experience in 
cooperation between military forces and suggested developing a SOFA 
agreement in the future for ARF Disaster Relief exercises, 
 
BANGKOK 00000159  002 OF 002 
 
 
particularly if there were interest in Thailand hosting a (less 
ambitious) follow-on exercise in 2010. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Manasvi elaborated that he believed that ARF was a good 
instrument to help loosen the historical baggage in the region. 
Part of the reason there had not been previous maritime exercises 
between ASEAN members was the overlapping maritime claims in the 
region.  ARF and training exercises were mechanisms which could help 
the parties sit down together to discuss regional issues.  In the 
future, he foresaw ASEAN Defense Ministers +1 meetings occurring. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) Action request:  Manasvi asked how many nations had 
committed to full operational participation in the Philippine-hosted 
exercise and how they had overcome SOFA concerns.  Since the SOFA 
issue had the potential to bedevil future development of ARF 
cooperation via the disaster relief intersessional mechanism, post 
requests Dept/Embassy Manila's thoughts on this subject in reply to 
Manasvi's question. 
 
 
JOHN