Event 42nd Asean Ministerial Meeting Retreat
Venue Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket
Organiser Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand
Delegates 15
Date July 20
The brief
The retreat was a pre-event meeting of the Asean Summit held from July 22-23 at the same venue. The meeting was held in a casual dining venue so the ten Asean foreign ministers, Asean secretariats and delegates could begin the programme in a relaxed atmosphere.
Challenges
Security was a big concern and involved considerable coordination as US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, Russia’s minister of foreign affairs, Sergey Lavrov and secretary general of the EU, Javier Solana were among the delegates. The high-profile delegates each had their own security detail, in addition to general security. The delegates’ security teams checked in one week prior to the event to familiarise themselves with the venue, screen the entire property and work with the hotel staff to ensure the safety of delegates.
Execution
Organisers wanted to include Thai traditions at various points throughout the meeting. Upon arrival, hotel management greeted the delegates with the customary wai (greeting gesture) and presented them with hand garlands.
The meeting was held in the hotel’s Casuarina Beach restaurant, the only venue in Phuket located directly on the beach. Organisers felt the setting, amid Casuarinas and palm trees, provided the right atmosphere.
Delegates stayed in the hotel’s new oceanfront villas, which feature rooftop swimming pools and direct access to a private beach. This provided the required privacy and security, while still allowing delegates to enjoy an authentic Phuket Island location.
Comment
“The room setting and food were remarkable,” says Attakarn Wongchanamas, counsellor at the Department of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand. “We hosted many luncheons and dinners at Casuarina Beach during the event and the staff at Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket were impeccable. They were really attentive, professional and helpful, and worked very hard to ensure every detail was faultless.”