Thailand prepares for ASEAN chairmanship in 2019

[webfact]

Thailand prepares for ASEAN chairmanship in 2019

 

 

The integration story of Southeast Asian nations, widely known as “ASEAN”, began in 1967 and has since brought about significant changes to the Southeast Asian region.

 

For decades, ASEAN has played an instrumental role in maintaining political stability, fostering economic,trade and investment cooperation, as well as facilitating technology transferand greater mutual understanding among its member nations. It also serves as a cultural melting pot through intra-regional immigration. These have continuously driven forward the ASEAN community, which has a combined population of over 642 million.

 

Thailand’s assumption of the ASEAN chairmanship in 2019 is critical to its role in the region.

 

“After 51 years, ASEAN may today be considered middle-aged with some experience, but a lot of work remains before us,” said Dr. SuriyaChindawongse, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

The late Dr. ThanatKhoman has been recognized for his significant legacy in initiating ASEAN and contributingto the regional stability and peacethat exists today. In terms of economics, the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) has driven economic growth and has been further developed into the ASEAN Economic Community or AEC, one of the three pillars of ASEAN.

 

“In the area of public health, for example, Thailand today enjoys tangible benefits from the close cooperation infighting pandemics with the ASEAN countries and ASEAN+3 countries, which include China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and has put in place an efficient regional public health early warning system, although many people may not know about this. So far, cooperative projects in various fields among ASEAN members have been further developed and extended,” Dr. Suriyaexplained.

 

Dr. Suriya pointed out that the most significant change in ASEAN was most probablyin the economic aspect, and was clearly reflectedin thepromotion of regional and international connectivity andthe developmentof“Free Trade Areas” (FTAs) withexternal partners, such as China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

 

“Thailand is strategically located at the center of the region. The important question is “How can we benefit from this advantage?” This led to the establishment of ‘the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025,’ which was initiated by Thailand. Likewise, an equally important issue that should not be overlooked is international connectivity and that is why it is important to connect the various connectivity strategies in the region,” Dr. Suriyaadded.

 

The Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs said that the integration of the 10 ASEAN countries had attracted the attention of the international community, in the form of diplomatic relations, trade and investment, tourism or multiculturalism,bolstering the region’s resilience that would boost broader connectivity to other parts of the world.

 

“ASEAN has maintained friendly diplomatic ties with all parties and is a threat to none, so the major powers are ready to cooperate with us.”

 

As Thailand takes over the ASEAN chairmanship next year, it is important for the country to drive ASEAN forward to achieve the utmost benefits for Thais and peoples across the ASEAN region.

 

“Serving as the chair of ASEAN is a great honour. According to the ASEAN Charter, the chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually by alphabetical order, so all members hold the ASEAN chairmanship once every 10 years. This year, Singapore holds the chairmanship of ASEAN, while Thailand and Viet Nam will take the helm in the following yearsrespectively.We are determined to drive ASEAN forward in a direction that will most benefit the people of Thailand and of the whole region. Our philosophy is for all ten ASEAN countries to advance together for the betterment of the people of the region in order to create a people-centeredcommunity, that leaves no one behind and prepared for thefuture,”he said.

 

To Dr. Suriya, ‘future’ does not mean just three or five years, but at least 20 years,so sustainability in ASEAN policiesis very important.

“We have to hostat least 160 meetings throughout next year, dealing with both ASEAN issues and those beyond the ASEAN region.The meetings are not only confined to ASEAN but extend to its dialogue partners such as the United States, China, Japan, Russia, India, Australia and New Zealand. We will also welcome the foreign media to Thailand tocover events, which will providea good opportunity for Thailand to showcase its strengths, such as in the areas of tourism, agriculture, industry, and culture to the world,” Dr. Suriya explained.

 

According to Dr. Suriya, the chairmanship of ASEAN should not be the sole responsibility of the government, but should also engage all parties including the private sector, civil society, and the people, including the youth, so that we can all be good hosts as well as a proactive Chair next year.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with Silpakorn University, is holding a logo design contest for Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2019. Entries can be submitted from June 15 – August 15, 2018. Further information is available at www.mfa.go.th/asean.

 

All in all, it is the peoples of ASEAN who will receive the greatest benefits from the growth and evolution of the ASEAN Community.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/Recommended/asean-plus/291

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-13

[Samui Bodoh]

Thailand should not be the Chair of ASEAN next year.

 

In 2006, Burma was denied the Chair as it was ruled by a military government that came to power without an election, exactly the situation of Thailand today.

 

After Thailand holds elections, ASEAN should welcome its Chairmanship.

 

Just like Burma...

 

 

[alant]

I still struggle to find what ASEAN does and in particularly the AEC does. All nations in the block seem to be 100% protectionist.

 

[JAG]

I have held to the view, for some time now, that the Chairmanship of ASEAN will mean that there will be no change in the government during 2019.

 

It will be of course be presented as being due to the need for continuity, as Thailand will be providing regional leadership. In reality, it is A) an excuse which is "dated" - has to be used next year, can be claimed to be beyond the junta's control, and allows various other excuses to be kept in the bank for later use; B) a glorious opportunity to strut and mince about an international stage which must be irresistible! 

 

When we see these sort of musings from senior figures in government agencies, together with announcements about competitions to design a logo and the like, it simply, for me, confirms that view. 

 

As soon as the logo has been selected, stand by for the new backdrop to Friday night TV, possibly even a new baseball cap for mobile cabinet meetings! 

Edited August 13, 2018 by JAG

[madmitch]

 

2 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Thailand should not be the Chair of ASEAN next year.

 

In 2006, Burma was denied the Chair as it was ruled by a military government that came to power without an election, exactly the situation of Thailand today.

 

After Thailand holds elections, ASEAN should welcome its Chairmanship.

 

Just like Burma...

 

 

There was an article on thaivisa last week about this and iI'm sure it stated that other members of ASEAN would not allow Thailand to take the presidency whilst under military rule.

[HHTel]

In the case of Burma/Myanmar, they relinquished the chair to avoid sanctions.

[Thailand]

9 minutes ago, HHTel said:

In the case of Burma/Myanmar, they relinquished the chair to avoid sanctions.

These guys will not do that, all about big face and their self perceived legitimacy.

[tigermoth]

Joking again. An unelected military government chair of Asean!!!! Myammar was denied chairmanship for the very same reason.

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

For decades, ASEAN has played an instrumental role in maintaining political stability

You might as well just stop reading any further.

[bluesofa]

So far all the comments above are negative about Asean and Thailand taking over the chair. Quite rightly too, I have to agree with all of them.

 

[HHTel]

1 hour ago, tigermoth said:

Joking again. An unelected military government chair of Asean!!!! Myammar was denied chairmanship for the very same reason.

They weren't denied chairmanship.  In fact I don't think they can be denied.  They were pressured.

[Eric Loh]

3 hours ago, alant said:

I still struggle to find what ASEAN does and in particularly the AEC does. All nations in the block seem to be 100% protectionist.

 

A snapshot of ASEAN achievement “The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) turned 50 years old on Tuesday, helping transform the region into a more stable one which has been developing economically despite certain territorial disputes and human rights concerns”.

 

AEC opens up border and lessen the restrictions for goods, service, resources and is the opposite of protectionism. 

 

However ASEAN has its challenges economically and criticisms especially in their non interference of members policy. They should have acted more strongly against Thailand junta taking the chair and stronger statements on the sham election in Cambodia. 

[ramrod711]

44 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

A snapshot of ASEAN achievement “The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) turned 50 years old on Tuesday, helping transform the region into a more stable one which has been developing economically despite certain territorial disputes and human rights concerns”.

 

AEC opens up border and lessen the restrictions for goods, service, resources and is the opposite of protectionism. 

 

However ASEAN has its challenges economically and criticisms especially in their non interference of members policy. They should have acted more strongly against Thailand junta taking the chair and stronger statements on the sham election in Cambodia. 

As much as I usually enjoy arguing with you, I am in total agreement on this issue. As others have stated, no election, no chairmanship. Do the elections in Singapore count as "real" elections?

[Eric Loh]

11 minutes ago, ramrod711 said:

Do the elections in Singapore count as "real" elections?

I think you meant fair rather than real. If you subscribed to the following description, than it is fair and therefore real. 

 

Fair’ means that all registered political parties have an equal right to contest the elections, campaign for voter support and hold meetings and rallies. This gives them a fair chance to convince voters to vote for them. A fair election is also one in which all voters have an equal opportunity to register, where all votes are counted, and where the announced results reflect the actual vote totals.

 

 

[TKDfella]

Quote 'As Thailand takes over the ASEAN chairmanship next year, it is important for the country to drive ASEAN forward to achieve the utmost benefits for Thais and peoples across the ASEAN region.' Has the decision already been made?

[manchega]

hilarious,  you ever witnessed thai organised conferences?

 

next asean meetups will be a real comedy of errors

 

how incompetant can we get

 

 

I imagine it will be as incompetant as someone who is asean president stating officially we are  not profiesional presidents of asean and asean conference providers