Tight security checks were seen carried out by police and military personnel with complete arms at, among other things, the gate of the Bung Karno Sport Stadium.
Security officers would only allow travelers to pass into the area if the have identity cards issued by the ASEAN Summit committee.
Joint security task forces were deployed at certain points and they remained stood guard on Thursday even though strong rain fell with strong winds and lightening.
A number of alleys of Hotel Sultan that led to the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), the summit venue, were closed.
Hotel guests who wanted to go to the convention center has to pass through one gate which was tightly guarded by security officers.
"We are very sorry for those who have no identity cards issued by the committee would not be allowed entry," a security officer who guarded the gate of the Hotel Sultan - JCC alley said.
The 18th ASEAN Summit will last from May 5 to 8, 2011, preceded with a ministerial level meeting on Thursday which would discussed various cooperation fields such as politics, security and economy. It is also expected to discuss the Thai-Cambodian border problem.
Police during the 18th ASEAN Summit are deploying 4,385 personnel to maintain security during the event. Police have the task to guard Ring II and III areas while the presidential guard forces (Paspampres) have the responsibility to maintain security in the Ring I areas.
The police will also help other security forces securing eight hotels where ASEAN heads of state and government and delegations would stay namely Indonesia Kempinsky Hotel, Grand Hyatt, Mandarin, Four Seasons, Shangri-La, Mulia Senayan, Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriot.
Delegates and parties will begin to arrive on Thursday while heads of state/government of ASEAN arrive on Friday. But there are several heads of state/government who will arrive on Thursday such as Myanmar`s Prime Minister Thein Sein.
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Editor: Bambang
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
