Ginandjar arrives on time. He and Chuan confer, with only an interpreter and Surin, who takes notes, in the room. The main topic is East Timor. Outside, two New Zealand policemen block the front of the door. A Thai Foreign Ministry official waiting in the corridor laments the packed schedule.
Today is the busiest day.
He's not the only one struggling to keep up. Chuan's entourage includes officials and advisers, including Surin, Prime Minister's Office minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and for part of the morning until he catches a flight for Bangkok, Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi. After his 25-minute meeting, Chuan walks back to his room to confer with advisers, while Surin briefs reporters. Half an hour later, the PM boards his car for the nearby Hyatt Regency hotel. The lobby is teeming with delegations - Russians, Vietnamese, Mexicans and Filipinos.