Picture courtesy: Thai Newsroom

 

Key figures from Southeast Asia gathered for a crucial meeting in Brunei, intensifying discussions on pressing regional issues. Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah focused their talks on the Myanmar crisis, the South China Sea disputes, and enhancing intra-ASEAN trade.

 

Leading the talks at the Istana Nurul Iman, Anwar Ibrahim, as ASEAN's current chair, asserted the importance of these discussions, highlighting Sultan Bolkiah's vast ASEAN experience.

 

The leaders collectively addressed the continuing Myanmar conflict, reaffirming the need to adhere to the Five-Point Consensus and to engage all relevant stakeholders.

 

There is a pressing concern over the burgeoning illicit economy in Myanmar, dominated by drug trade, human trafficking, and scam operations, necessitating an urgent and strategic response.

 

On the topic of the South China Sea, the trio agreed on the importance of diplomatic progress. The negotiation of the Code of Conduct (CoC) should be expedited to maintain peace and order in this often contentious region managed by several ASEAN countries alongside China. The leaders stressed the urgency of these diplomatic efforts to avert potential conflicts.

 

Economic collaboration within ASEAN also took centre stage, particularly focusing on fostering greater trade and creating a business-friendly environment.

 

They discussed the need for effective regulatory frameworks to stimulate capital inflow and to encourage robust economic growth within the region, promoting shared prosperity among nations.

 

Cryptocurrency emerged as a topic of interest, with discussions centred around establishing proper blockchain infrastructure and enabling digital accessibility, which are seen as vital to the region's digital economy.

 

Additionally, Anwar endorsed the proposed ASEAN-US summit, decided at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Langkawi, urging that it be promptly realised. The summit would aim to strengthen ties with the US, enhancing cooperation on various fronts.

 

This high-level meeting underscores ASEAN's commitment to addressing both economic and political challenges in a collaborative manner, paving the way for a more integrated and stable region.

 

The cooperative efforts of leaders like Thaksin, Anwar, and Sultan Bolkiah highlight the role of ASEAN in navigating complex geopolitical landscapes, focusing not only on crisis management but also on future economic growth and regional stability, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

-- 2025-02-19

 

 

Is this a new game  - who can hold their hand out the longest ?

57 minutes ago, webfact said:

There is a pressing concern over the burgeoning illicit economy in Myanmar, dominated by drug trade, human trafficking, and scam operations, necessitating an urgent and strategic response.

 

57 minutes ago, webfact said:

The negotiation of the Code of Conduct (CoC) should be expedited to maintain peace and order in this often contentious region managed by several ASEAN countries alongside China. The leaders stressed the urgency of these diplomatic efforts to avert potential conflicts.

 

Someone needs to do something about these things.

The governments are just pussy footing around and doing nothing.

If it is to be the Three Stooges - so be it.

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

 

Someone needs to do something about these things.

The governments are just pussy footing around and doing nothing.

If it is to be the Three Stooges - so be it.

Just more talk

Few of the ASEAN powers seem to be all that concerned about what's going on in Burma, though now it looks like the Burmese government is about to be taken down by the resistance, and now all of a sudden they're expressing concern. Makes one wonder. 

Thaskin is Unelected and should not be representing Thailand

If Thaksin actually gets anything done, good luck to him. But he is looking more like yesterday's man .

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

Thaskin is Unelected and should not be representing Thailand

But...but....Thaksin's 'a leader' according to the article.😋

10 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

But...but....Thaksin's 'a leader' according to the article.😋

A Callous person  who should be put down !! but this is Thailand and the thai people put up with anything !!

5 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Thaskin is Unelected and should not be representing Thailand

He is the Asian senior statesman 

Well respected and influential 

Thailand and the region is blessed to have him around 

27 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

He is the Asian senior statesman 

Well respected and influential 

Thailand and the region is blessed to have him around 

are you nuts!!   he is a convicted felon and responsible for mass killings,  also a very corrupt  person

21 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Thaskin is Unelected and should not be representing Thailand

The leader of the illegal coup in2014 was also unelected but he still went on  representing the Banana Republic of Thailand for the next nine years protected by soldiers, tanks and guns, and today is still walking about free, yet posters are on here all the time wondering why Thaksin is not in jail.

3 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

The leader of the illegal coup in2014 was also unelected but he still went on  representing the Banana Republic of Thailand for the next nine years protected by soldiers, tanks and guns, and today is still walking about free, yet posters are on here all the time wondering why Thaksin is not in jail.

And who's fault is that !!!

1 hour ago, NoshowJones said:

The leader of the illegal coup in2014 was also unelected but he still went on  representing the Banana Republic of Thailand for the next nine years protected by soldiers, tanks and guns, and today is still walking about free, yet posters are on here all the time wondering why Thaksin is not in jail.

Well said 

The Thaksin haters should at least have a consistent benchmark if they want to judge 

17 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

are you nuts!!   he is a convicted felon and responsible for mass killings,  also a very corrupt  person

He is no more corrupt or culpable than all the PMs before or after him. 

If one were to have a ranking for best PM of Thailand. He should top the list. 
He at least did a lot of good

5 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Well said 

The Thaksin haters should at least have a consistent benchmark if they want to judge 

So if you are against Thaksin you must be pro junta??? What are you talking about?

It is possible to disagree with both you know, grow up.

3 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

He is no more corrupt or culpable than all the PMs before or after him. 

If one were to have a ranking for best PM of Thailand. He should top the list. 
He at least did a lot of good

What good did Thaskin do ! you need to research Thaskin and see how evil the guy is

6 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

He is no more corrupt or culpable than all the PMs before or after him. 

 

Incorrect. He was much more openly corrupt than any preceding him or anyone since. Approving a government loan via Exim bank to the Burmese junta (against international sanctions) to buy his Shin Sat satellites. Passing millions of dollars worth of shares in Shin corp to his maid and driver to try and hide them. Selling a huge plot of government owned land to his wife when he was PM. Changing government telecoms policies to benefit AIS about competitors. Widespread corruption at Suvarnabhumi.

It goes on and on. When he was elected he sold people the lie that he wouldn't be corrupt as he is already rich. But the man is incredibly greedy and got more and more brazen. Easily the most brazenly corrupt PM this country has seen.

 

Quote

If one were to have a ranking for best PM of Thailand. He should top the list. 

You are a joke. Thaksin is - and only ever was - out for himself and his personal wealth and ego. He is trying to make his family a dynasty here.

He is responsible for thousands of deaths (Tak Bai, "War on Drugs"), he polarised the country so badly it was brought to the brink of civil war.  He didn't care, he only cares about Thaksin.

 

Quote

He at least did a lot of good

Did he? Like what?

 

30 baht health scheme was good.

6 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

 

Incorrect. He was much more openly corrupt than any preceding him or anyone since. Approving a government loan via Exim bank to the Burmese junta (against international sanctions) to buy his Shin Sat satellites. Passing millions of dollars worth of shares in Shin corp to his maid and driver to try and hide them. Selling a huge plot of government owned land to his wife when he was PM. Changing government telecoms policies to benefit AIS about competitors. Widespread corruption at Suvarnabhumi.

It goes on and on. When he was elected he sold people the lie that he wouldn't be corrupt as he is already rich. But the man is incredibly greedy and got more and more brazen. Easily the most brazenly corrupt PM this country has seen.

 

You are a joke. Thaksin is - and only ever was - out for himself and his personal wealth and ego. He is trying to make his family a dynasty here.

He is responsible for thousands of deaths (Tak Bai, "War on Drugs"), he polarised the country so badly it was brought to the brink of civil war.  He didn't care, he only cares about Thaksin.

 

Did he? Like what?

 

30 baht health scheme was good.

The 30baht  health scheme was not his idea  but yes his goverment did implement it

The 30-baht health scheme, also known as the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), was launched in 2002 by the Thaksin Shinawatra government. The scheme was based on work done by public health civil servants in the 1980s. 

16 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

The 30baht  health scheme was not his idea  but yes his goverment did implement it

The 30-baht health scheme, also known as the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), was launched in 2002 by the Thaksin Shinawatra government. The scheme was based on work done by public health civil servants in the 1980s. 

Yeah, I know, but I thought I would give a little concession otherwise I would be accused of blind hatred, being brainwashed, pro junta blah blah etc etc.

4 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Yeah, I know, but I thought I would give a little concession otherwise I would be accused of blind hatred, being brainwashed, pro junta blah blah etc etc.

understood,  

57 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Well said 

The Thaksin haters should at least have a consistent benchmark if they want to judge 

I cannot comment on Thaksin as I came to stay in Thailand around the last year of his Premiership around 2005, and knew nothing about Thai politics then.

I will say one though, the Thailand then was heaven compared to now, but the good outweighs the bad compared to the UK.