ASEAN SUMMIT
Look beyond 2015, PM urges Asean
The Nation


Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, left, is welcomed by Myanmar President Thein Sein, second left, while their wives hold hands before the opening ceremony yesterday of 25th Asean Summit in Nay Pyi Taw./Reuters

Prayut thanks leaders at summit for showing understanding of the Thai political situation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his address to the Asean Summit in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, expressed gratitude to leaders of the group for understanding Thailand's domestic political situation.

He also reaffirmed Bangkok's compliance with all its commitments to the community, offering to take leading roles in Asean tasks.

The premier's speech highlighted cooperation within the group to enhance regional connectivity, combating transnational crimes, regional economic integration and disaster management.

Asean should have a bright vision for its future after the establishment of the Asean Community in 2015, he said, noting that Thailand supported a high-level task force to draft the Post-2015 Vision and other related documents.

The 10 leaders of the regional group yesterday endorsed the "central elements" as a basis to develop the Post-2015 Vision of the Asean Community, a step to create a master plan for regional integration and the role of the group over the next decade.

The Asean network should build up its strength from inside, Prayut said, for the well-being of its populace. A people-caring organisation should improve healthcare services, promote sustainable development, reduce poverty, promote equality and enhance food security for the benefit of all.

Agriculture was important for all countries in the Asean Community and the sector should be strengthened to uplift the lives of farmers as well as to sustain food security, Prayut said.

As Asean opened up for regional economic integration, all members should give importance to the development of border areas, he said, with proper border management plans.

Asean is currently facing a new landscape of geo-politics in the region, attracting attention from the world's rival powerhouses. The group has to prepare for a changing situation in order to maintain its relevance, as well as Asean's centrality in regional security architecture, he said.

Also, the community has to take a prominent role in the international community, to tackle important global issues outside the Southeast Asia region - such as the crisis in the Middle East, he said.

Asean should keep a close eye on the outbreak of the deadly virus Ebola. Thailand suggested that health ministers under the cooperative framework of Asean+3 should come together to work out how to tackle the problem. Thailand could host a meeting on the matter in December, Prayut proposed.

On the South China Sea, Thailand has been playing the role of coordinator between Asean and China to develop a code of conduct in the troubled area where Beijing has been in territorial conflict with some members of Asean.

A working group has adopted the first list of "commonality" for elements to be addressed in the code of conduct, proposed during a meeting in Bangkok last month.

Prayut was in Myanmar yesterday and today attends the Asean Summit. While in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday he held a bilateral meeting with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss issues of cooperation, including a tri-nation road project linking India-Myanmar-Thailand.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Look-beyond-2015-PM-urges-Asean-30247646.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-13

Thailand , the least prepared for ASEAN with the lowest comprehantion of the English language of ASEAN countries, will be very disappointed when other countries reap more benifit from the ASEAN agreement than Thailand does.

Thais never want others to get jobs they think should go to Thai people, even ( especially) when the others are more qualified for the jobs.

I suspect that, like a spoiled child, they will find a way to, "take their ball and go home" when things do not go their way.

"If you won't let me win, I don't want to play!"

Act 1. The PM thanks everyone for understanding the Thai political situation. Understanding can of course mean many things and may not be quite what the PM might want to hear.. Understanding does not necessarily imply acceptance, agreement etc. but don't tell Thai officials.

Act 2. An official Thai release on how well it all went, the general was a hit and was roundly congratulated for all he and the junta are achieving.

New popularity poll ' result ' to be be issued on his return.

The good Generals wife doesn't seem all to pleased to be holding hands with a Burmese!

Enhance food security for all..speechless

Look beyond 2015, PM urges Asean

Because we just aint ready for next year.....

Funny to hear this request coming from an arrogant nationalist nation full of ignorant self-centered people who think from where they stand to the fridge, from there to the TV set and back, people who not only have lost grip on reality, but who refuse to understand the very basics of a relationship (both, person/person and country/country) that you need to give something before you can take.

I think there was a few leaders at both China and AsEaN meetings that understood the situation in Thailand , the why's, the where for's and the what nots, this continually having to verify this military action and telling everyone the happiness club is happy , but is anyone listening, now whether the military involvement was required is a moot point to be discussed at classroom level and history will be the judge , trying to sell the idea to Democratic elected leaders with Thailand's record on coups , might not cut much grass.