The Thai cabinet has made November 16th, 17th and 18th special public holidays for Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan to ease the movement of government leaders and senior officials during the APEC Summit and related meetings.

Anucha Burapachaisri, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, said today (Wednesday) that the extra days off are also intended to enable security officials to perform their duties efficiently.

Commercial banks and other financial institutes, however, will remain open as usual, particularly those responsible for critical functions. Other staff can work from home.

State enterprises, private companies and the Labour Ministry can decide, as they think fit, whether to remain operational, as long as they ensure that the public are not affected if they decide to suspend operations.

The APEC Summit and related meetings, from November 14th to 17th, will take place at the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre in Bangkok.

Government leaders, their spouses and senior officials from 20 countries and territories have agreed to attend. Among them are China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, the US, Russia, the Philippines, Peru, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Observers from the ASEAN Secretariat, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council and Pacific Islands Forum and representatives from other economies and international organisations have also been invited to attend some of the meetings as guests of the Thai government, said Anucha.