Thailand has decided to move the venue of ASEAN's annual meeting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai due to concerns about potential protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). While officials publicly cite the pleasant climate and desire to showcase another part of Thailand as reasons for the change, privately they acknowledge that the decision is driven by the need to avoid conflict with the PAD. The last-minute switch has sparked speculation in the Thai media that the PAD may target the summit venue to undermine the elected government. Government leaders from the 10 Association of South East Asian Nations countries, along with representatives from China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, are attending the meeting in Bangkok. Diplomats in Bangkok are upset about the last-minute change in location, as it is currently peak tourist season and there may not be enough accommodations for the influx of government officials and foreign media. When Laos hosted the meeting four years ago, they barred all foreign visitors to ensure enough space. One diplomat in Bangkok called the situation a major inconvenience. The budget for this situation has not been planned and it is unclear how hotel rooms will be obtained during this busy time of year. It seems that we will have to share rooms and possibly sleep on the floor. The Shangri La hotel in Chiang Mai, where the meeting is taking place, has reserved the entire hotel from Dec. 11-19. However, tourists with existing reservations will not be asked to leave. The original venue for the meeting, Bangkok's Centara Grand hotel, does not seem to be aware of the change in location.