[ASEAN-01] Thailand as ASEAN Chair [ASEAN-02] ASEAN and the Global Economic Crisis [ASEAN-03] 14th ASEAN Summit and Thai Pride [ASEAN-04] ASEAN & The European Union: Similar Differences [ASEAN-05] ASEAN +3 Health Ministers Ready for Influenza 2009 [ASEAN-06] 20 Years of Burgeoning ASEAN-South Korean Relations [ASEAN-07] ASEAN-Japan FTA: Economic Partners [ASEAN-08] GMS: Benefits from an Economic Grouping [ASEAN-09] ASEAN & Singapore: Important Trade Partners [ASEAN-10] ASEAN-South Korean FTA [ASEAN-11] Thailand and Vietnam Jointly Increasing Role in ASEAN [ASEAN-12] Thailand & China Cementing Relations on All Fronts [ASEAN-13] ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) [ASEAN-14] ASEAN & China: Trade, Investment, and Tourism Success [ASEAN-15] ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting: Thailand’s Chance to Rebuild Confidence [ASEAN-16] ASEAN & US Relations: A Constructive Engagement [ASEAN-17] Human Rights Organization for ASEAN [ASEAN-18] 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting Outcomes [ASEAN-19] The role of ASEAN in Promoting Regional Peace and Security Cooperation [ASEAN-20] ASEAN-Canada: Enhanced Partnership [ASEAN-21] ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), a public-center community [ASEAN-22] The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)’s role [ASEAN-23] Thailand hosts the 41st ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) meeting [ASEAN-24] ASEAN-India FTA [ASEAN-25] ASEAN unites to lead the fashion industry [ASEAN-26] ASEAN’s Role in Mynamar’s Politics [ASEAN-27] ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council’s Regional History Book [ASEAN-28] Kunming-Singapore Rail Link: A link to boost ASEAN-China Trade [ASEAN-29] ASEAN-China Investment Agreeement [ASEAN-30] Thailand as Creative Industrial Hub of ASEAN [ASEAN-31] ASEAN to Become a World Biofuel Export Center [ASEAN-32] Asia’s Culture Ministers Add Economic Value [ASEAN-33] ASEAN Ministers for Environment Join Forces to Combat Global Warming [ASEAN-34] Ready to Host the 15th ASEAN Summit [ASEAN-35] ASEAN’s Role at the G-20 Pittsburgh Summit [ASEAN-36] ASEAN Foreign Minister at the United Nations [ASEAN-37] The Success of ASEAN and Thailand [ASEAN-38] ASEAN-United Nations Ties [ASEAN-39] Thailand and the ASEAN Charter [ASEAN-40] ASEAN and Civil Society  

Thailand as ASEAN Chair

         Once serving as the ASEAN chair in 1995, Thailand had the great honor of assuming the ASEAN chairmanship for the second time from July 24, 2008 to the end of December 2009.  However this time around, the timing and significance of Thailand’s role as ASEAN chair are of the utmost importance.  First is the fact that it is Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, a Thai national, holding the post of ASEAN secretary-general.  And with the coming into force of the ASEAN charter, ASEAN’s highest law emphasizing the improvement of the organization and making ASEAN more for the people, as well as the current global economic despair, are also reasons as to why Thailand’s involvement as chairman are critical and challenging.

         At present, ASEAN has ten member nations including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.  And as chairman, Thailand is responsible for hosting numerous important conferences including the 14th ASEAN Summit that took place from February 27 to March 1, 2009 in Amphoe Cha-am of Petchaburi Province.  Thailand will also host the 15th ASEAN Summit towards the end of 2009, the meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and partners outside the association as well as the conference between the ASEAN leaders and negotiating nations.

         During Thailand’s chairmanship, the government will be focusing on three main issues.  The first is taking the fundamental principles of the ASEAN charter, ASEAN’s highest law, and putting them into action.  Examples include establishing human rights operations for the membership.  Second is reviving ASEAN as people-centered organization creating greater public awareness of ASEAN and encouraging the public to actively build a stronger ASEAN community.  The aim is to do away with the image of ASEAN as a unit for only the government sector rather than for the people to set policies.  Lastly, the Thai government would like to enhance the improvement and stability for all within the region.  The government would like to put into action any efforts put forth by ASEAN.  This involves generating the greatest benefit from the various ASEAN cooperative frameworks for all the ASEAN people.  In particular, the government would like for these efforts, whether they be increasing security through food or energy, natural disaster management, or financial stability for the region, to resolve issues directly affecting the people.

         And the strategies Thailand will employ to accomplish its mission are creating better public understanding of ASEAN, its issues, and the public benefit to be gained as well as clarifying the country’s role as ASEAN chairman.  The Thai government also plans to improve the collaborative efforts of the ten member countries to become a true “ASEAN Community” in terms of politics, economics, society, and culture by the year 2015.  Furthermore, cooperation between ASEAN and negotiating nations will be encouraged especially for issues concerning the well-being of the people; for example, sufficient food supplies, effective energy use, and natural disaster protection.  This will cover international issues affecting the people’s lives.

         Thailand faces a number of problems, such as the global economic setback, the political difficulties within the country, and the new 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus that is currently spreading worldwide.  Despite this the Thai people should join the government to proudly present itself as ASEAN chair and honorably host the future ASEAN summit and other leading conferences.  This collaborative effort will create pride for the Thai people as ASEAN chair and members of the ASEAN community and also increase the country’s international role and recognition.

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