The government has postponed the upcoming Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economy Cooperation (Bimstec) summit until further notice.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry told reporters yesterday that the event, which was to be held in Bangkok on Sept 3-4, had to be delayed because the country is in the process of forming a new government.
It said that due to the time needed to form the new government and undergo the related parliamentary and legal process, the government has decided to postpone the Bimstec Summit and related visits so that Thailand can be fully prepared to advance the initiative within this framework for the "greatest benefit" of the Thai people and the member countries of Bimstec.
New dates for the 6th Bimstec summit will be given at the earliest opportunity, the ministry said.
Founded on June 6, 1997, with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration, Bimstec is an international organisation consisting of seven nations connecting South and Southeast Asia -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
The summits are usually held every two years.