The 14th Asean summit will now go ahead on Feb 13-15.

The foreign ministry had earlier mentioned the dates of Feb 24-26 but the plan had to be dropped because it was not convenient for some member nations and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva wanted to make it earlier.

'The new summit dates are February 13-15,' Mr Boonchong Wongtrairat, deputy interior minister told reporters on Wednesday, adding that the exact location in Bangkok has not yet been finalised.

'The government wants Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre but it is already booked, so we will have to negotiate,' he said.

The meeting was delayed from mid-December amid political turmoil in Thailand including the occupation of the capital's airports, which led to the toppling of the ruling party loyal to ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Abhisit hopes to project the summit as a sign that normality is returning to Thailand after months of instability. -- AFP