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Thailand security braces for APEC
(CNN) -- Thailand faces its biggest security challenge yet when it plays host to world leaders gathering in Bangkok for the 11th APEC meeting. High-profile attendees such as U.S. President George W. Bush will make a tempting target for terrorists in a nation which some commentators consider far from secure. But Thailand says it's ready for any threat, and has mounted impressive displays by its anti-terrorist units in recent weeks to help allay fears. A team of 500 commandos has been assigned to protect VIPs and their presence will hopefully dispel notions that Bangkok is a "soft target" for terror. A two-day meeting of APEC finance ministers on the tourist island of Phuket last month provided a "dry run" for Thailand's security services. At least 1,000 Thai police covered the meeting in southern Thailand, home to a Muslim minority and long troubled by violence. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which kicks off on October 19, is the biggest gatherings of world leaders in the region this year. Presidents and prime ministers from 21 nations -- including the United States, China, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Malaysia -- will be attending, and Thailand will be taking no chances. "It's not just Thai authorities alone who are providing the security measures. We're working with all the members to ensure there's full security," Thai foreign ministry spokesman Sihasak Phuangketkeow told CNN. U.S. officials will not reveal the size of President Bush's protection team, but Thai police expect 2,000 U.S. personnel to descend on the capital, along with Russian and Chinese teams, Reuters reports. And Thailand's police chief has declared that "every square inch of Bangkok" is being checked -- right down to the drainage pipes. But analysts point out that Thailand is surrounded by weak states, has borders which are porous, and has an estimated three million illegal immigrants already in the country -- factors which make security planing a considerable challenge. Security will also be high on the APEC discussion agenda as well, with the recent bombing in central Jakarta still fresh in everyone's minds. "Certainly the regional security issue will be the top agenda for the fact that we have some countries with terrorist attacks and the U.S. is very keen to ensure that the Asian region is safe and secure, " Li Kui-Wai, from City University of Hong Kong, said. The main APEC agenda, however, is about promoting free trade and investment. But in recent years, more APEC members have been signing free trade deals on a bilateral basis, leaving the multilateral forum little to show in the way of substantive agreements. Economists say this is not surprising, considering the diversity of the members, and the non-binding nature of the grouping. But they are optimistic that in the long term, APEC will mature and put ideas into action.
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