SINGAPORE said on Tuesday night it was 'disappointed' with the postponement of the Asean summit till March.

It also called on the Asean Secretariat to consider holding the summit in Jakarta, which has offered to host the leaders meeting scheduled for Dec 15 to 18 in Chiang Mai.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, responding to media queries, said: 'While Singapore understands why the summit has to be postponed, it should not be delayed more than absolutely necessary.'

'With the global financial crisis affecting all countries in Asean, the summit should be rescheduled to the earliest possible date, preferably in January, rather than later in March. '

'Given the urgency, the alternative of convening the summit at the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta under Thai Chairmanship should be considered if it is not possible to hold it in Thailand.'

News of the postponement came shortly after Thailand's constitutional court dissolved the ruling party and barred Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from politics for five years.

The summit had already been moved out of Bangkok due to the turmoil, which has seen protesters occupy both of the capital's airports.

Protesters said later on Tuesday they would lift the airport siege, which has cost Thailand economically and in terms of its international image both as a tourist haven and a beacon of stability in the region.

The Asean charter, which commits the bloc's 10-member nations to promote democracy and human rights and was due to be signed at the summit, will now be adopted in Indonesia.

Asean secretary general Surin Pitsuwan and a former Thai foreign minister said he had not yet been informed of the decision.

'I am not yet aware of it. I am still waiting for the decision,' he told AFP by telephone from Hong Kong. 'But so far I am aware there is no government in Thailand now, therefore the foreign ministry must handle this issue.'

Thailand holds the rotating chair of the association.

Asean leaders had been set to be joined at the summit by heads of government from East Asia as well as the heads of organisations such as the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organisation.

Mr Surin said on Sunday that time was 'running short' for Thailand to hold the summit, adding that a delay would enable better preparations.

He had 'reassured' Thai authorities 'that a postponement will not negatively affect Asean work plans too much.'

Member nations Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam had called for a postponement while others had expressed concerns over the situation in Thailand.

In 2006, the Philippines rescheduled a December summit for the following month after two powerful storms threatened to batter its central region, although some sources said it was linked to security threats.

Asean groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.