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Thailand is ready to host the 14th Asean Summit in December but it may move the venue from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in view of the ongoing political unrest in Bangkok.

The summit was initially planned for the Centara Grand Hotel in Bangkok from December 14 to 18.

However, the political tension, particularly the anti-government protests, that has led to the Government House compound being occupied for more than three months, has forced the government to consider moving the summit venue to Chiang Mai.

"The government has looked at several options so it is possible that the venue may change," Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat told AFP.

"But so far the venue is still to be as scheduled in Bangkok."

The government has informed the Foreign Ministry that the summit may have to move to Chiang Mai.

"FM officials have already travelled to Chiang Mai to check the venue. Asean member states will be informed of the government decision next week," a Foreign Ministry official said.

Chiang Mai is the home town of convicted ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the political base of incumbent Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who is Thaksin's brother-in-law.

Pro-government support in this northern province is also strong.

Political tension in Bangkok has not subsided although the Supreme Court on Tuesday handed down a guilty verdict against Thaksin in the Ratchadaphisek land deal.

Thaksin, who is now seeking exile in London, is sentenced to two years in prison.

The People's Alliance for Democracy has vowed to continue to fortify the Government House compound until it achieves its political objectives.

At the same time, an ex-policeman, Pol General Salang Bunnag, has threatened to lead pro-government supporters to seal off Government House cutting off food and water supply for the anti- government protesters. Some regional politicalleaders have begun to questionThailand's ability to maintainits leadership role in Asean, which Thailand chairs over the next 18 months.

Prime Minister Somchai has also been abused by the protesters. On Wednesday, during a visit to the Information and Communications Technology Ministry, protesters threw bottles and booed at him.

Banharn Silapa-archa, the leader of the Chat Thai Party, yesterday

condemned the protesters for

showing disrespect to the prime minister.

"It is bad behaviour. I am not afraid of these people," he said.