Asean Summit

[eggomaniac]

Gen Thein Sein: Myanmar won't allow Thailand's foe to use its soil

HUA HIN, Oct 24 (TNA) -- Myanmar Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein has told his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva that his country would not allow anyone opposing Thailand to use its soil as a springboard to attack the kingdom.

Gen Thein Sein, who is now attending the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit being held in the Thai resorts of Hua Hin and Cha-am, reportedly told Mr Abhisit on the sidelines of the summit Friday that Myanmar upheld the principle of living in harmony and that it would not allow anyone opposing Thailand wishing to use his country as springboard in attacking this country.

Isn't there a 'rebel' Burmese group, foes of Thein Sein, that stage on Thai soil in the North East.??

[Publicus]

Gen Thein Sein: Myanmar won't allow Thailand's foe to use its soil

HUA HIN, Oct 24 (TNA) -- Myanmar Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein has told his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva that his country would not allow anyone opposing Thailand to use its soil as a springboard to attack the kingdom.

Gen Thein Sein, who is now attending the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit being held in the Thai resorts of Hua Hin and Cha-am, reportedly told Mr Abhisit on the sidelines of the summit Friday that Myanmar upheld the principle of living in harmony and that it would not allow anyone opposing Thailand wishing to use his country as springboard in attacking this country.

Expressing his confidence that Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, could sail through obstacles and negative challenges, Gen Thein Sein told Mr Abhisit that both Myanmar and Thailand share a long border and both countries have to depend with each other and good neighbourliness is, therefore, significant.

Gen Thein Sein's remarks were made after Mr Abhisit and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen traded words after the Khmer leader reasserted Friday on arriving for the ASEAN summit that his government would reject any Thai request to extradite former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra if the self-exiled ex-premier accepts an invitation for refuge in Cambodia.

-- TNA 2009/10/24

Hun Sen's ludicrous attempt to compare Aung San Suu Kyi to the Police Colonel and Tycoon, Thai Con Thaksin Shinawatra certainly lit up the fascist generals of Burma, eh?. While it is true Burma and Thailand share a lengthy border, it's more than interesting that an Asean country (such as Burma) has taken a side in the sudden fury of face slapping between Hun Sen/Thaksin and Abhisit.

Maybe this agreement and hand shaking can open the door to other Asean countries to break custom and tradition by speaking out against the HS/Thaksin scheme, even if indirectly as the fascist Gen. Thein Sien now has done. There isn't any direct quote in this piece that Gen Thein Sien used the words "Thailand's foe" in reference to Thaksin, or that "anyone opposing Thailand" were words uttered by the general, but nonetheless a strong point is made to HS and to Thaksin.

Asean knows Thaksin on the loose, especially if he makes his way into Cambodia, is definitely bad news for all.

Edited October 24, 2009 by Publicus

[webfact]

Thai PM urges Japan to import more Thai food products, workers

CHA-AM, Oct 24 (TNA) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday urged his Japanese counterpart Yukio Hatoyama to consider importing more Thai food and allowing more Thai workers to work in his country, said Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to the Thai premier.

The two men met for about 30 minutes on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit being held in the Thai resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin with Mr Hatoyama telling Mr Abhisit that his government would consider the request to import more Thai food, according to Dr Panitan.

However, Mr Hatoyama, who came to power recently after his Democratic Party won a historic victory over the dominant Liberal Democratic Party in September, that Thailand should raise the standard of quality of its food exports.

Dr Panitan said the Japanese government leader also urged the Thai government to care for Japanese businessmen who had invested in Thailand.

In response, Mr Abhisit told Mr Hatoyama that Thailand has laws to provide convenience to Japanese and other foreign investors in the country.

In June this year, Japanese operators of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand asked the Japanese and Thai governments to grant financial assistance to them due to global economic meltdown.

Currently, there are approximately 7,000 Japanese-operated SMEs in Thailand. Out of the total, 1,300 firms are members of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce while the remainder are non-members without parent companies in Japan, also receive no help from the Thai or Japanese governments.

The two premiers also exchanged ideas on politics since they lead political parties which carry the same meaning, said Dr Panitan. They also agreed to set up a political club to allow politicians of the two countries to exchange ideas as well as to cooperate politically.

Mr Abhisit is leader of the ruling Democrat Party, Thailand's oldest political party. (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/10/24

[webfact]

ASEAN SUMMIT

Leaders called to act against climate change

By The Nation

Greenpeace held a stunt on Saturday to demand Asean leaders to take a unified and decisive action in protecting their peoples from the threats of climate change.

The environmental group pushed a transparent plastic "earth ball" along Phetkasem Road for a little over 1 km, from outside of the Sheraton hotel in Phetchaburi's Cha-am district, where the media centre is located, to the nearby Dusit Thani hotel, where the Asean leaders meet.

The large ball has with a green pattern of the world map and contains a Greenpeace activist. Two other activists hold a piece of cloth with the message: "Asean, U Turn the Earth".

Tara Buakamsri, the group's campaign manager for Southeast Asia, said reporters gathering beside the road that the group called for zero deforestation in Asean and for the government leaders to join the efforts to force developed countries to agree to cuts in greenhouse gas emissions at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December.

He said the agreements by Asean countries about climate change have still been on the paper and no concrete action has been taken.

-- The Nation 2009/10/24

[Scott]

Please use the correct names of politicians. Posts have been and will continue to be deleted for this.

[webfact]

HUA HIN SUMMIT

Japan to host summit with five Mekong countries next month

By The Nation

Japan would hold the first summit with five countries in the Mekong region next month to build up connectivity in the basin, Japanese government spokesman Kazuo Kodama said Saturday.

Leaders from Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam would meet with Japan in Tokyo from November 6 to 7 to discuss development schemes in the Mekong basin.

Japan engaged with the Mekong countries under framework of Asean-Japan to help bridging development gap between new member of the group Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam with original members.

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama invited his counterparts when they met Saturday during the Asean summit in Cha Am/Hua Hin.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who met in a bilateral talk with Hatoyama said he was looking forward to the meeting in Tokyo.

-- The Nation 2009/10/24

[webfact]

PAD protests Cambodia at the Asean summit

Thai protester led by People's Alliance for Democracy made a brief protest at Puk Tien Beach in Cha-Am district Saturday, demanding Cambodia to withdraw troops from disputed area adjacent to Preah Vihear temple.

Some 30 people gathered at the beach, about ten kilometers from meeting venue of Asean Summit, in responding to harsh remark by Cambodia that it would not extradite former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Thailand.

Thailand and Cambodia have been at the loggerhead over the disputed area near the Hindu temple for long time but the issue was heated a year ago as it was listed as a world heritage site.

The issue of Thaksin emerged into the conflict as Hun Sen said on Friday he would make him as his economic advisor.

-- The Nation 2009/10/24

[tracer]

Does all this human rights and law-equalisation across borders mean that farangs will be soon able to own the land under their house in Thailand?

Are CAT & TOT aware of this need for connectivity across borders? They can't even manage it from our moobaan to the exchange in the city centre with any persistency.

Will all this human rights stuff mean 4th and 5th generation Thai Hill Tribes peoples will finally get citizenship without having to pay tea-money to officials and the military?

Will rural schools finally be given the electricity to run the computers the government bought from Thaksin 15 years ago?

Foggy

If those are the computers he gave/sold that long ago BURY them. Probably too slow and using too much electricity (assuming they still work)

[Publicus]

PAD protests Cambodia at the Asean summit

Thai protester led by People's Alliance for Democracy made a brief protest at Puk Tien Beach in Cha-Am district Saturday, demanding Cambodia to withdraw troops from disputed area adjacent to Preah Vihear temple.

Some 30 people gathered at the beach, about ten kilometers from meeting venue of Asean Summit, in responding to harsh remark by Cambodia that it would not extradite former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Thailand.

Thailand and Cambodia have been at the loggerhead over the disputed area near the Hindu temple for long time but the issue was heated a year ago as it was listed as a world heritage site.

The issue of Thaksin emerged into the conflict as Hun Sen said on Friday he would make him as his economic advisor.

-- The Nation 2009/10/24

If Thaksin does move into Cambodia it would be easy to forsee the PAD marching across the border in two prongs, one prong to sit in the temple indefinitely and the other to Thaksin's new diggs to hang him.

[webfact]

UPDATE

People's network threaten action against Cambodia

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Published on October 25, 2009

Cha-am - Thai protesters yesterday threatened to surround the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok next month unless Prime Minister Hun Sen withdrew troops and removed Cambodian community from the disฌputed area adjacent to Preah Vihear.

Some 30 people led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) made a brief protest at Puk Tien beach in ChaAm district, some 10km away from the Asean meeting venue in response to the harsh remarks by Hun Sen regarding fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over the disputed area near the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear for a long time but the issue heated up a year ago when it was listed as a World Heritage Site.

The issue of Thaksin added fuel to the conflict when Hun Sen said he would make the fugitive expremier his economic adviser and would not extradite him to Thailand. Such remarks have heightened tensions with the Thai government which is seeking to apprehend Thaksin, who has been sentenced to two years' prison sentence in a corruption case.

The protesters handed over their letter of demands to the Foreign Ministry's DirectorGeneral of Asean Affairs Vitavas Srivihok demanding the troop withdrawal and removal of the Cambodian comฌmunity from the area within a week.

They condemned Hun Sen's recent remarks and wanted the Cambodian premier to leave Thailand immediately as he was not attending the Asean Summit in a spirit of goodwill.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said his government had allowed the protesters to exercise their freedom of expression in accordance with democratic principles. The government would take their demands into consideration and would convey them to the neighฌbouring country if necessary, he said.

The Thai government would not allow one incident to jeopฌardise relations between the two countries, which have a lot of areas of mutual interest, he said. Kasit said the government would deal with Hun Sen in a cool manฌner.

"We have been together with Samdech Hun Sen the whole day in the [Asean] meeting. I think he did participate in every sesฌsion [of the Asean meeting] in a very constructive manner," Kasit said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen even supported Thailand's intention to be a temporary unit of surฌveillance of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM), Kasit said.

Regarding the Thaksin issue, Kasit maintained his hope that Hun Sen would be able to disฌtinguish personal affairs from the mutual interests of the two countries.

"I don't know whether Prime Minister Hun Sen has invited Thaksin to visit Cambodia after he has served his jail term in Thailand or not," he said.

If Thaksin were to be in Cambodia before serving his sentence, the government would seek his extradition in accordance with the bilateral treaty, Kasit said.

-- The Nation 2009/10/25

[webfact]

Thaksin tells PM to observe good etiquette

By The Nation

Published on October 25, 2009

Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday warned Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to observe good etiquette as the host and have consideration for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

In his Twitter, Thaksin criticised Abhisit for taking Hun Sen to task after the Cambodian Prime Minister came out in his defence. Thaksin said Abhisit should not keep a personal grudge and have bilateral relations in mind.

"As chairman of Asean, he should have etiquette. The PM should be focused and not see Hun Sen's face as my face," Thaksin said.

Hun Sen last week expressed his support for Thaksin saying the exPM did not receive justice politically. Also, when he arrived for the Asean Summit on Friday, the Cambodian Prime Minister said he would appoint Thaksin his economic adviser.

-- The Nation 2009/10/25

[steven2]

Good luck for abhisit !

[LawnGnome]

Thaksin tells PM to observe good etiquette

By The Nation

Published on October 25, 2009

Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday warned Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to observe good etiquette as the host and have consideration for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

In his Twitter, Thaksin criticised Abhisit for taking Hun Sen to task after the Cambodian Prime Minister came out in his defence. Thaksin said Abhisit should not keep a personal grudge and have bilateral relations in mind.

"As chairman of Asean, he should have etiquette. The PM should be focused and not see Hun Sen's face as my face," Thaksin said.

Hun Sen last week expressed his support for Thaksin saying the exPM did not receive justice politically. Also, when he arrived for the Asean Summit on Friday, the Cambodian Prime Minister said he would appoint Thaksin his economic adviser.

-- The Nation 2009/10/25

BWWHAHAHHAHAAHA - what a <deleted> douchebag.

[steven2]

Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday warned Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to observe good etiquette as the host and have consideration for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

loudmouth Abhisit should learn to keep his trap shut, and show some restraint as the host

[LawnGnome]

Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday warned Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to observe good etiquette as the host and have consideration for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

loudmouth Abhisit should learn to keep his trap shut, and show some restraint as the host

Are you for real? lol

[webfact]

ASEAN summits of leaders of 16 Asia-Pacific countries ends

CHA-AM, Oct 25 (TNA) -- A multi-tasked summit of the leaders of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and their six dialogue partners ended in Cha-am on Sunday with the 10 heads of state endorsing the declaration launching the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, agreements to cooperate on climate change, disaster management, and more.

The summit of the ASEAN states with government heads of China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand focused on economic and financial cooperation, disaster preparation and response, food and energy security, and climate change.

The regional leaders reportedly agreed on responding to the global economic meltdown by “reviewing trade cooperation” as well as entering into free trade and economic partnerships.

The 16 government leaders ratified a statement on disaster management, as natural calamities have become more severe following the recent typhoons and earthquakes in several Asian countries.

The ASEAN leaders also met to confer on other issues on the sidelines of the Southeast Asian summit.

Summit discussions ended as the three-day 15th ASEAN summit came to a close in the Thai resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin on Sunday.

Details of the discussions were still not available.

Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, told journalists that Mr Abhisit met separately with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key earlier in the day, to strengthen relations between the kingdom and the three nations.

Dr Panitan said the Chinese premier expressed his government’s interest in investing in railways in Thailand.

Premier Wen reportedly also accepted a Thai government invitation to officially visit Bangkok next year. Details of the visit will be discussed later.

Australian Prime Minister Rudd, meanwhile, reaffirmed that his government will continue to provide education funding, especially for setting up a language institute in Thailand, Dr Panitan said.

Touching on a war of words between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Mr. Abhisit regarding Thailand’s ousted, fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Dr Panitan said ASEAN participants were “not worried” as they believed the issue was limited to the two neighbour states.

Mr. Hun Sen during the summit expressed opinions which were in line with those of Mr. Abhisit, he said.

The Cambodian premier had earlier reportedly said that Mr. Thaksin could shelter in Phnom Penh as his guest and could serve as his economic advisor. Mr Hun Sen added that he was not interfering in Thailand's internal affairs but asserted that Cambodia has the right to exercise its sovereignty and make such a decision.

In response, Mr Abhisit said that Mr Hun Sen may have received incorrect information about Mr Thaksin and should not allow himself to be used as a 'pawn'.

Ousted in a bloodless coup, ex-premier Thaksin was sentenced in absentia last year to a two-year jail term for malfeasance in the controversial Bangkok Ratchadapisek land purchase case. The toppled Thai premier now spends most of his time in the United Arab Emirates after his status as a visitor was rejected by a number of countries including both the United Kingdom and Germany. (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/10/25

[webfact]

Asean summits moot East Asian Free Trade pact

Cha-am, Thailand - A flurry of meetings among Asian leaders Sunday raised the possibility of forging a regional free trade pact, which is likely to be raised at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month.

"What we are seeing now is a couple of ideas on having a more integrated market in terms of trade and investment in the region," Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kazuo Kadama said after the East Asia Summit in Cha-am, 130 kilometres south-west of Bangkok.

The East Asia Summit comprised leaders from the 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) plus their six closest regional partners - Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.

The East Asia Summit followed two days of Asean summits and bilateral meetings with the six partners.

A central theme was boosting regional trade at a time when Asia's traditional markets - the US and European Union - have shrunk because of the global financial crisis.

Asean will fully implement a free trade agreement among original members Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, on January 1, 2010.

The bloc has inked partial trade pacts (FTAs) with Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, which are at various stages of implementation.

"On the East Asia FTA, leaders noted the potential for greater intra-regional trade, which reached 480 billion dollars in 2008," the final statement of the Asean+3 summit said, in instructing the economic ministers to study the proposal.

Both Japan and Australia used the Cha-am summits to push for their own visions of more cooperation within the region.

Newly elected Japan Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama shared his somewhat vague vision of an "East Asia Community" while Australian Prime Minister Keven Rudd mooted an Asia-Pacific Community.//DPA

-- The Nation 2009/10/25

[webfact]

Asian summits mull cooperation, "new growth model"

By Cha-am, Thailand

Deutsche Presse-Agentur

A series of Asian summits concluded three days of talks Sunday with new proposals for closer cooperation to confront the global financial crisis, which has hurt its traditional export markets.

The 15th summit of the 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) and related summits with its six "dialogue partners" were held Friday to Sunday at Cha-am beach resort, 130 kilometres south-west of Bangkok.

The flurry of meetings ended Sunday with the East Asia Summit, which includes the Asean nations plus Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.

Newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama used the East Asia Summit and other Cha-am summits to push his long-term vision of an "East Asia Community" while Australian Prime Minister Keven Rudd mooted an Asia-Pacific Community.

While still vague in content, the main message was that the region needs to find a new growth model, summit chairman Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

"For the East Asian leaders this morning what was of utmost importance as far as meeting common challenges ahead appears to be about finding a new growth model for the region," Abhisit said.

"The old growth model, where we have to rely of consumption in the West for goods and services produced here, we feel will no longer serve us as we move into the future," he said. "Which is why we have to strengthen our domestic markets and fulfill the potentials that are there if we can liberalize trade within the region."

While the "East Asian Community" and "Asia Pacific Community" concepts are long-term visions, a regional free trade area appeared to be emerging as a much closer reality at the summits.

"We will be moving towards a region-wide free trade area one way or another," Abhisit said.

A regional free trade pact is also expected to be discussed at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on November 13-14 in Singapore, according to officials. A separate US-Asean summit is also planned on November 15 in Singapore.

Asean will fully implement a free trade agreement among original members Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, on January 1, 2010.

In 2008, Asean intra-regional trade had reached 480 billion dollars.

The bloc has inked partial trade pacts (FTAs) with Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, which are at various stages of implementation.

"There is a proposal that on an APEC level we should have a more ambitious free trade area," Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kazuo Kadama said after the East Esia Summit.

APEC includes Asean, the main East Asian economies and the US, Russia, Canada, Mexico, Chili and Peru.

Asean is still a long way from signing an FTA with the European Union, which recently "paused" its negotiations with the region on the issue for lack of progress.

The 47-year-old Asean, which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, now holds summits twice a year, in tandem with related summits with its main partners.

Vietnam, which is chair of Asean next year, will host two Asean summits in Hanoi in April and October.

Besides the trade talks, the 15th Asean summit also saw the launch of an Asean Intergovernmental Human Rights Commission.

The launch was marred by a walkout of three civil society representatives from the Asean Summit after the member government rejected five of their ten proposed "people's" representatives.

"You can't expect everything to go smoothly," Abhisit said.

-- The Nation 2009/10/25

[LawnGnome]

A successful ASEAN Summit - Abhisit will host the ASEAN - US Summit next month in Singapore, on center stage with Obama, the most popular leader in the world today. Thaksin must be having kittens bhwhahahahahaha.

[Rumfoord]

Puea Thai urges PM to axe Kasit

BANGKOK, 25 October 2009 (NNT) – The opposition Puea Thai Party has urged Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dismiss Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya after some ASEAN leaders were absent from the opening ceremony of the 15th ASEAN Summit.

Puea Thai Party Spokesperson, Prompong Nopparit, called on the prime minister to axe Mr Kasit from his ministerial portfolio and readjust the foreign policy upon completion of the 15th ASEAN Summit. He criticized Mr Kasit as an unsuitable choice for the position because of his involvement with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in the seizures of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

According to Mr Prompong, many ASEAN leaders were absent at the opening ceremony of the summit. Cambodia also announced a denial to extradite former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra if requested by Thailand. Mr Prompong said the government hence lacked the potential to forge healthy foreign relationships.

The spokesperson asked Prime Minister Abhisit to give General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh an opportunity to help bridge the relationship with neighboring countries, especially with Cambodia. He said this could help prevent the rifts between two countries from escalating and extend the duration of this government as well.

General Chavalit is a former prime minister and now a member of the oppsition Puea Thai Party. He traveled to Cambodia and met with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, just a few days ahead of the 15th ASEAN Summit.

-- NNT 25 October 2009

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255210250041

[webfact]

Kudos to PM for a successful summit

By KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN

THE NATION

Published on October 26, 2009

The 15th Asean Summit at Cha-am must go down in history as the most colourful with additional soap opera-like interventions. Only Thailand could have handled such a messy affair and come off with flying colours.

Big plaudits should be given to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and their 30,000 nervous officials, both in uniform or plainclothes, for successfully hosting the event.

Throughout the summit, both Abhisit and Kasit did not lose their cool, especially when the mercurial Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen commented on the love he had for the fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra just before he joined the summit.

The media went berserk over the story after General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh revealed to the press that Hun Sen had a house ready for Thaksin and an advisory job for him if needed. For Thai-Cambodian relations it was a family feud that other Asean countries would find it hard to comprehend.

There has been a stream of negative publicity regarding the political uncertainty in the past nine months, coming from the red-shirt groups and Thaksin's spin masters at home and abroad. Worse of all was the most recent spate of rumours about the health of His Majesty the King. It was aimed at undermining, if not destroying, Abhisit's ability to be an effective host. If the plan had succeeded, his political leadership would have been in tatters.

But Abhisit has nine lives. After all, he has survived all political plots, big and small. He is the luckiest Asean chair who has represented the country in two G-20 summits - in London and Pittsburg. And he is going to co-chair the next Asean-US summit in Singapore. No wonder a number of Asean leaders, especially those who have been in power for a long time, are jealous.

After more than 15 years of procrastination, Asean finally established the much awaited Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. The Thai chair played a major role in seeing it through. Of course, this rights body in itself is toothless. That explains why Thailand has been trying to promote the participation of civil society organisations.

Indeed, some senior Asean officials have been unhappy with the Thai liberal attitude toward non-governmental players. Too bad representatives of Asean-based civil society organisations (CSO) from five countries walked away from dialogue with their leaders.

Both the leaders and CSO representatives are more concerned with their respective representatives. Mutual trust is still lacking. In the end, the two sides could not compromise. So, Thailand's long-term plan to institutionalise the interface between them fell flat. The next Asean chair, Vietnam, has to pick up the pieces next April.

One thing that an Asean summit has never failed to deliver is it provides a platform for other dialogue partners to exchange views on their common vision with Asean. On that score, Abhsit has done well by articulating the pivotal issues affecting Asean and dialogue partners.

Too bad, the kind of drama and excitement one witnessed throughout the Thai chairmanship will be absent from now on. Vietnam has meticulously mapped out its 12-month chairmanship what it wants to achieve for Asean and for the host.

-- The Nation 2009/10/26

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday warned Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to observe good etiquette as the host and have consideration for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

loudmouth Abhisit should learn to keep his trap shut, and show some restraint as the host

I have a bit of an idea that I might know Robert from a previous incarnation. Same style of flaming.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

It's been said Obama is the most famous person alive, ever. He's arguably the most accepted, sympathetic and broadly rooted for. Ask the Nobel Peace Prize Committee too.

They do go off half cocked sometimes.

[Thai at Heart]

It's been said Obama is the most famous person alive, ever. He's arguably the most accepted, sympathetic and broadly rooted for. Ask the Nobel Peace Prize Committee too.

Said by 50% of a population of 300+ million. <snip>

Most famous, accepted, sympathetic and broadly rooted for? Mao by a country mile. All of China, and half of South East Asia at a point.

Wen Ji Bao would probably command a total count of 90% plus if a popularity contest was held in China between him and Obama in a straight choice.

Propaganda is the opium of the masses, and they have the masses all right. Shame they had no choice, but this is a popularity contest isn't it?

[raro]

This thread is about the ASEAN summit and not the American president. Neither is it for flaming and conveying biased political views.

Several off-topics deleted. Please keep it civil.

raro

[Publicus]

It's been said Obama is the most famous person alive, ever. He's arguably the most accepted, sympathetic and broadly rooted for. Ask the Nobel Peace Prize Committee too.

Said by 50% of a population of 300+ million. <snip>

Most famous, accepted, sympathetic and broadly rooted for? Mao by a country mile. All of China, and half of South East Asia at a point.

Wen Ji Bao would probably command a total count of 90% plus if a popularity contest was held in China between him and Obama in a straight choice.

Propaganda is the opium of the masses, and they have the masses all right. Shame they had no choice, but this is a popularity contest isn't it?

Globally, not within any given particular nation.

Pres Obama is coming soon to SE Asia. More people will want to see him than ever saw Bush or Clinton. Obama will be well informed and the undisputed leader of the pack.

[Rumfoord]

A successful ASEAN Summit - Abhisit will host the ASEAN - US Summit next month in Singapore, on center stage with Obama, the most popular leader in the world today. Thaksin must be having kittens bhwhahahahahaha.

as approved and selected by TVforum super team. Abhisit will shake hands with nobody else than the best best best überleader of the universe next month at the ASEAN-US.

bhwhahahahahaha.

it is uncivil to say otherwise. amerika is wunderbar. i love it. ungawa.

[webfact]

A successful ASEAN Summit - Abhisit will host the ASEAN - US Summit next month in Singapore, on center stage with Obama, the most popular leader in the world today. Thaksin must be having kittens bhwhahahahahaha.

as approved and selected by TVforum super team. Abhisit will shake hands with nobody else than the best best best überleader of the universe next month at the ASEAN-US.

bhwhahahahahaha.

it is uncivil to say otherwise. amerika is wunderbar. i love it. ungawa.

TVforum super team

can you enlighten me to whom it is addressed here on TV?

I would like to know it first..........

[LawnGnome]

Kudos to PM for a successful summit

By KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN

THE NATION

Published on October 26, 2009

The 15th Asean Summit at Cha-am must go down in history as the most colourful with additional soap opera-like interventions. Only Thailand could have handled such a messy affair and come off with flying colours.

Big plaudits should be given to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and their 30,000 nervous officials, both in uniform or plainclothes, for successfully hosting the event.

Throughout the summit, both Abhisit and Kasit did not lose their cool, especially when the mercurial Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen commented on the love he had for the fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra just before he joined the summit.

The media went berserk over the story after General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh revealed to the press that Hun Sen had a house ready for Thaksin and an advisory job for him if needed. For Thai-Cambodian relations it was a family feud that other Asean countries would find it hard to comprehend.

There has been a stream of negative publicity regarding the political uncertainty in the past nine months, coming from the red-shirt groups and Thaksin's spin masters at home and abroad. Worse of all was the most recent spate of rumours about the health of His Majesty the King. It was aimed at undermining, if not destroying, Abhisit's ability to be an effective host. If the plan had succeeded, his political leadership would have been in tatters.

But Abhisit has nine lives. After all, he has survived all political plots, big and small. He is the luckiest Asean chair who has represented the country in two G-20 summits - in London and Pittsburg. And he is going to co-chair the next Asean-US summit in Singapore. No wonder a number of Asean leaders, especially those who have been in power for a long time, are jealous.

After more than 15 years of procrastination, Asean finally established the much awaited Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. The Thai chair played a major role in seeing it through. Of course, this rights body in itself is toothless. That explains why Thailand has been trying to promote the participation of civil society organisations.

Indeed, some senior Asean officials have been unhappy with the Thai liberal attitude toward non-governmental players. Too bad representatives of Asean-based civil society organisations (CSO) from five countries walked away from dialogue with their leaders.

Both the leaders and CSO representatives are more concerned with their respective representatives. Mutual trust is still lacking. In the end, the two sides could not compromise. So, Thailand's long-term plan to institutionalise the interface between them fell flat. The next Asean chair, Vietnam, has to pick up the pieces next April.

One thing that an Asean summit has never failed to deliver is it provides a platform for other dialogue partners to exchange views on their common vision with Asean. On that score, Abhsit has done well by articulating the pivotal issues affecting Asean and dialogue partners.

Too bad, the kind of drama and excitement one witnessed throughout the Thai chairmanship will be absent from now on. Vietnam has meticulously mapped out its 12-month chairmanship what it wants to achieve for Asean and for the host.

-- The Nation 2009/10/26

Yellows screwed things up the first time. Reds screwed things up the second time. Finally, we have some good news to celebrate.

Great job to all associated. Including the Thailand Philharmonic and the Mahidol University College of Music Large Choirs, who provided wonderful music for the event.