Promising First Steps Toward A United Region; Thai Opinion

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EDITORIAL

Promising first steps toward a united region

By The Nation

SE Asian embassies around the world to proudly raise the Asean flag today

Asean is excited about its future. Over two-and-half years since the Asean charter came into effect, the region is moving forward with confidence - albeit with some shortcomings and errant behaviour from some members.

Today, the Asean flag will be raised in front of Asean embassies around the world. It is the first symbolic sign that Asean is becoming a single community. Real integration still has a long way to go and will take time.

The Asean Community is due to start in 2015 - in 1,240 days, to be precise. Once the countdown stops, it doesn't mean Asean will suddenly become a community of 600 million people without borders.

A lot more needs to be done, of course, before the realisation of the founding dream of one Southeast Asia. That's why each member has fundamental duties and responsibilities to implement all protocols and agreements without fail.

Thailand, a founding member of Asean, has been one the most enthusiastic in promoting Asean identity and education.

The outcome is, admittedly, still marginal because of a lack of consistency and uncertainties that have dogged full implementation of Asean strategies.

Most Thais still don't know much about Asean. But their knowledge of the region has improved in recent years because its many activities and meetings were closely tied to political dramas during recent governments.

In retrospect, the previous government did a remarkable job maintaining Thailand's profile in Asean given ongoing domestic difficulties. Both Abhisit and his foreign minister, Kasit Piromya, should be given credit for promoting Asean. The master plan of Asean Connectivity, Abhisit's brainchild, is now becoming the grouping's most important long-term project.

Since Thailand was the first country to implement the charter when it came into effect in December 2008, it was full of ideas.

Bangkok worked hard to bring about objectives stated in the charter, especially those dealing with the democracy and human rights, as well as the involvement of civil society organisations.

The Asean Intergovernmental Commission for Human Rights was established on time even though it went through all kind of difficulties to ensure the Asean standard was not substandard.

It could have been a better rights body with more protection provisions. But, Asean is made up of 10 members with diverse political and cultural backgrounds; one step at a time.

There will be amendments in 2014 when the terms of reference on human rights are due for review.

In addition, Thailand also wants to see the usual top-down process changed so that decision-making is more participatory.

Allowing input from grass-roots and civil society organisations would be useful.

But some Asean leaders are not used to such stressful gatherings. Non-official representatives often don't know how to communicate with their leaders, who are usually more subtle.

Thus, the interface between Asean leaders and representatives of civil society sectors since 2005 is not near its full potential. Changes in mindsets by all concerned are inevitable if the so-called people-centred Asean Community is to be a reality.

Like it or not, Asean is here to stay, despite the criticism. For the maintenance of stability and prosperity of the region, Asean continues to be the main driving force, unlike any other.

-- The Nation 2011-08-08