Thailand : Asean Economic Community

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[sabang]

Countries like these only give us (Asean) a bad name.

Absolutely. Can't have any human rights abusing military dictatorships in Asean now, can we?

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Thailand ready for ASEAN Community, eyes greater gains: academic
Zhang Chunxiao
2015-11-13

BANGKOK, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- With an ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Community expected to take shape by the end of this year, Thailand will benefit from further economic integration especially with the planned ASEAN connectivity that will link the North-South and East-West corridors, a Thai academic commented.

ASEAN was founded in 1967, comprising 10 member states, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Among all ASEAN members, Thailand is one of the most prepared for the establishment of the ASEAN Community, Kavi Chongkittavorn, senior fellow at the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Thailand has been campaigning for the community over the past years, Kavi said, adding to this end, training of officials at the state and provincial levels in all government agencies started in 2013, with budgets worth several billion baht.

Thailand also scored high in its implementation of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, namely, the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, he noted.

With the arrival of the ASEAN Community, Thailand, which is centrally located in Southeast Asia, "can become a hub for trade, investment, tourism and logistics," Kavi said.

"But to do so, the country has to amend laws and regulations that are restrictive to facilitate investment and trade with ASEAN members."

With greater economic integration, as well as increased and freer trade and movement of skilled laborers, the academic suggested, the Thai competitiveness has to be beefed up.

Thai workers must improve their skills to compete with those from other countries in engineering and managerial positions, among others, he said.

Besides Thailand, all ASEAN members are expected to benefit from "the continued community-building in ASEAN," with some to gain more in certain areas and less in other areas, Kavi commented.

For instance, Thailand, which enjoys better infrastructure and service industry, will see its tourism boosted while Myanmar and Cambodia will benefit from fresh investment because of the liberal foreign investment regimes and cheaper labors, he explained.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the formation of the ASEAN Community, the grouping will "have better bargain power in both regional and global politics" due to the economic integration among a combined population of 625 million, Kavi said.

"I believe that from now on the ASEAN will adopt more common positions on global issues such as climate change and anti-terrorism measures."

He also urged ASEAN members to assert "more political will" to ensure full completion of the ASEAN Community, saying ASEAN must comply with all recommended action plans.

In addition, the academic contended that the China-proposed "Belt and Road" initiative could also help promote the ASEAN's development as it will improve infrastructure throughout the region both on land and at sea.

The ASEAN connectivity and the "Belt and Road" initiative must be "synergizing and harmonizing" with each other to some extent because there are some overlapping projects, especially on the construction of the North-South Corridor, he added.

news.xinhuanet.com

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Thailand gateway of Iran oil to ASEAN countries

Thailand gateway of Iran oil to ASEAN countries: Deputy minister





Following a meeting with Suvit Maesincee, Thai Deputy Minister of Commerce, in Tehran, Amir Hossein Zamaninia told Shana that the Thai official voiced Bangkok's readiness to purchase oil cargoes from Iran in the post-sanctions era.

'Thailand's growing need for energy has prompted it to call for Iranian crude oil supplies,' said the Iranian official.

He said Thailand can become Iran's gateway to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, adding that during the meeting opportunities for joint investments and ventures by the two countries in the run-up to the Iran-Thailand Joint Economic Commission were discussed.

Executives of a number of Thai energy companies accompanied Maesincee in the meeting with Zamaninia.

ASEAN is a political and economic organization of ten Southeast Asian countries. It was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), and Vietnam.

Its aims include accelerating economic growth, social progress, and sociocultural evolution among its members, protection of regional peace and stability, and opportunities for member countries to resolve differences peacefully.

irna.ir

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Thailand : Marina Hub of ASEAN

Thailand Yacht Show 2016

Thailand eyes Marina Hub of ASEAN status with inaugural yacht show in February
Theodore Koumelis
09 February 2016

The Thailand Yacht Show 2016 features over 50 participating yachts and more than 2,000 attendees including yachting operators, yacht owners, shipyard operators, yacht repair service providers, investors, and the general public.


Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket

BANGKOKThailand Yacht Show 2016Ao Po Grand Marina, PhuketKobkarn WattanavrangkulTourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is offering its full support to the event with a range of activities including a 60-square-metre pavilion at the show that will be offering information on tourism and the yachting industry in Thailand in collaboration with the relevant agencies including the Thailand Privilege Card, Thai Ship Building and Repairing Association, and the Marine Department.

Dr. Yuthasak Supasorn19th Bay Regatta, Cape Panwa Hotel Raceweek, which will be an opening event of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix and Asia Super Yacht Rendezvous

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Prashanth Parameswaran
March 16, 2016

Stephen Lille urges ruling junta to address democracy and human rights concerns in a speech in Washington.The Diplomat

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Thailand to become ASEAN hub of justice affairs

Thailand to become ASEAN hub of justice affairs



BANGKOK, 1 June 2016 (NNT)

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Suu Kyi: Asean must stand together
Tan Hui Yee

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Ms Suu Kyi and General Prayut both stressed the importance of strengthening their countries' engagement of Asean yesterday. Their remarks come amid fears of widening fissures in the 10-country bloc over territorial disputes in the South China Sea between some Asean members and China.
PHOTO: REUTERS

Three cooperation deals with Thailand inked during visit by Myanmar's de facto leader

Myanmar and Thailand plan to engage actively in Asean and Asean-centred regional frameworks even as both countries tighten economic and development cooperation, said Thai Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday during a visit by Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"We both shared the view that engagement in Asean is of great importance, especially in this rapidly evolving geopolitics of the region," said General Prayut when he addressed the media with Ms Suu Kyi, after the two countries inked three cooperation deals.

Myanmar state counsellor Suu Kyi said: "If Asean does not stand together, it's not just our region that will suffer. It's the whole world.

"We have to prove that countries which are different can join together in amity, and in tolerance and in trust, to take our world forward."

The Asean community has "achieved much" despite being "relatively young", she added.

Both leaders' remarks come amid fears of widening fissures in the 10-country bloc over territorial disputes in the South China Sea between some Asean members and China. With the rising threat of maritime confrontations causing uncertainty in the region, some Asean members are pushing for the bloc to take a common stand, while others are reluctant to do so.

Ms Suu Kyi said her country - which is transitioning from half a century of military rule - is trying its best to keep up with the region and not be "a burden".

"Our people want to work... They don't want charity," she said on the second day of her three-day trip to Thailand.

Ms Suu Kyi is Myanmar's Foreign Minister and also holds the post of state counsellor. Her National League for Democracy party swept to power in last November's elections but has to share power with the military, which is entitled to a quarter of the seats in Parliament, under the Constitution.

Earlier yesterday, she met about 300 Thai and Myanmar students and spoke to them about the importance of education as well as people-to-people relations to build regional understanding.

A scheduled trip to a refugee camp was taken off her itinerary. Officials attributed the decision to bad weather.

About 100,000 people from Myanmar, largely displaced by hostilities between its military and ethnic armed groups, are still living in border camps in Thailand. Ms Suu Kyi said she wanted them to return, but a lot of work needed to be done first to create homes, schools and jobs.

Thailand and Myanmar yesterday signed three deals to improve conditions for migrant labour as well as aid cross-border connectivity.

There are about 1.4 million registered Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. If undocumented migrants are included, the number of workers could be as high as three or four million. Most of them earn basic wages in construction, manufacturing, seafood and the service sectors.

Under current rules, Myanmar workers need to return home for three years after working in Thailand for four years, before seeking employment again. A deal signed yesterday would reduce this interim period to only 30 days.

While appreciative of Thailand's pledge to look after the welfare of its workers, Ms Suu Kyi said Myanmar is also responsible for its people in Thailand. "We will never disown them, we will never neglect them," she said.

straitstimes.com

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SE Asia deadlocked as South China Sea split deepens
Martin Abbugao, Annabel Symington
25 July 2016


A policeman directs traffic in Vientiane on July 23, 2016, as Laos hosts the 49th South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting

Southeast Asian nations were deadlocked Sunday about how to confront China's territorial claims in the South China Sea as pressure from Beijing again drove a wedge between countries on the region's toughest security challenge.

Their gathering in the Laos capital is the first time regional players -- including China and the United States -- have met en masse since a UN-backed tribunal delivered a hammer blow to Beijing's claim to vast stretches of the sea.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) boasts four countries who have competing claims with Beijing to parts of the sea, and is fiercely divided on the issue.

Rival claimants have accused China of deftly forging alliances with smaller member countries like Laos, this year's host, and Cambodia through aid and loans to divide the once consensus-driven bloc.

Chinese pressure was blamed last month for a startling show of ASEAN discord when countries swiftly disavowed a joint statement released by Malaysia after an ASEAN-China meeting.

That statement had expressed alarm over Beijing's activities in the South China Sea. Cambodia and Laos were later fingered as being behind moves to block it.

Those divisions were on stark display once more in Vientiane on Sunday as regional foreign ministers met for talks.

Insiders accused Cambodia of scuppering moves to include a response to the tribunal ruling in a joint ASEAN communique -- by the end of the first day of talks there was still no agreement.

"We need to put our house in order," one diplomat involved in discussions told AFP Sunday. "But we still have not agreed on anything."
Another ASEAN diplomat added: "We remain deadlocked. We're back to the negotiating table."

The main sticking point was over whether to refer to the international tribunal ruling and if so how, a Southeast Asia diplomat told AFP.

Some countries are pushing to include a reference that urges all countries to fully "respect diplomatic and legal process", he said -- in line with statements released by the European Union, the US and Japan following the UN-backed decision.

Other countries are opposing any mention of the ruling.

Another diplomat said ministers would continue talks on Monday but warned that if a statement was published in the coming days it would likely be "really watered down".

- Competing influence -

The impasse in Vientiane has led to fears of a repeat of a 2012 summit in Cambodia where the bloc failed to issue a joint statement for the first time in its history because of disagreements over the South China Sea.

A failure by ASEAN to respond to the tribunal will not do much to counter criticism that the bloc risks fading into obscurity as a talking shop with little real diplomatic clout.

The UN tribunal ruling earlier this month infuriated Beijing but was a victory for the Philippines, which brought the case, and for fellow ASEAN members Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia who also claim parts of the South China Sea.

The bloc's paralysis on how to respond comes as China ratchets up its rhetoric and military manoeuvres in the sea whilst hitting out at the US.

Washington says it takes no position on the territorial disputes but argues for free sea and air passage through what it considers international waters.

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in Laos Monday morning. It is not yet clear whether he will meet his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, who is also attending.

A State Department official over the weekend said the US would push for participants to ease tensions over the South China Sea and find common ground.

But Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin warned ASEAN against being influenced by outside powers, a clear rebuke to Washington.

"They (ASEAN) should in particular guard against the intervention in regional cooperation by big powers outside the region," he said according to the Xinhua news agency.

ASEAN boasts a diverse array of countries ranging from communist one-party states like Laos to the Islamic sultanate of Brunei, military junta-led Thailand and raucous democracies like Indonesia and the Philippines.

Its ability to deal with Beijing is seen as a test of whether it can jointly confront other pressing regional challenges outside of trade.

sg.news.yahoo.com

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9:30 a.m.

Thailand's foreign minister says he and his counterparts from nine other Southeast Asian countries did not discuss the contentious issue of China's expansionist moves in the South China Sea at an emergency meeting they had called to resolve a deadlock on the issue.

source

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Opinion

Post-Thai referendum: ASEAN turning a blind eye?The writer heads the ASEAN Studies Program at The Habibie Center in Jakarta. The views expressed are his own.

thejakartapost.com

[Texpat]

ASEAN boasts a diverse array of countries ranging from communist one-party states like Laos to the Islamic sultanate of Brunei, military junta-led Thailand and raucous democracies like Indonesia and the Philippines.

Its ability to deal with Beijing is seen as a test of whether it can jointly confront other pressing regional challenges outside of trade.

Perhaps they should consult the EU and ask how admitting Greece and considering Turkey has panned out. In comparison, ASEAN will make the EU look like a whopping success.

The notion of "cooperation" throughout SE Asia is a rare as rocking horse poo.

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Human rights under scrutiny in Laos ahead of ASEAN meet
Max Constant
31.08.2016

Impoverished Southeast Asian nation slammed for deemed deteriorating human rights situation


BANGKOK, THAILAND - AUGUST 31: An activist holds a protest in front of the Laos Embassy in Bangkok calling on the government to stop Human Rights violations.

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Thai Government Spruiks Post-Coup Reforms

Bangkok. The Thai government has assured Asean reforms introduced after the 2014 coup has created a positive impact in all sectors, including international trade, during a region-wide meeting in Bangkok this week.

Then prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup in May 2014, led by military chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha who has led the Thai government since. An August referendum, itself steeped in criticisms of censorship, saw a majority support a guided democracy under the junta with a general election to be held in 2017.

Prayuth's government believes Thailand has been in a "crisis" for a decade and the coup and subsequent government is necessary, Thai officials said during the Asean Media and PR Officers meeting in Bangkok on Friday (30/09).

"It doesn't affect anything, the transition has only created a positive impact for the Thais. Everything is more conducive now, including foreign investments," Thailand deputy government spokesman, Maj. Gen. Werachon Sukonthapatipak, said when asked how the transition has impacted the country's trade balance.

"Of course we're now in economic slow down, but everyone in the region is also hit by it," he added.

The government has claimed it increased the country's gross domestic product from 0.8 percent growth in 2014, to 2.8 percent in 2015 and a project 3.5 percent this year.

"We have to admit we were struggling at first after May 2014, yet then we showed sincerity in fixing everything and now we enjoy 3.5 percent growth in this quarter," Werachon said.

The spokesman assured Asean countries Thailand would still collaborate within the region, despite the recent instability.

"Asean countries don't need to worry about what happened in Thailand. We'll continue to walk together, we're responsible to our partners and we make sure no one is left behind," he said.

jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com

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Thailand failing to live up to its Asean goals: The Nation columnist
Kavi Chongkittavorn
4 hours ago

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View of the Bangkok skyline.
PHOTO: THE PENINSULA BANGKOK

BANGKOK (THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK)-Kudos must go to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. He understands very well the importance of Thailand's integration with Asean and its implications for the future and regional leadership, not to mention his own legacy.

However, three years since the power seizure, it is clear that the prime minister has been unable to persuade all the arms of government and networks to come together and execute the necessary steps and measures to make Thailand the centre of the Asean Community.

If this trajectory continues, it would remain an impossible task. As Asean celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the government and officials are proudly hailing their country as the home that gave birth to Asean - like a high school chorus.

Truth be told after years of campaigns that have cost about Bt8 billion (S$327 million) (2013-2015) or roughly Bt2.7 million a day to increase public awareness about the launch of the Asean Comunity in 2015, Thailand's preparedness for Asean integration is still superficial.

A 'D' on the scorecard would still be generous.

Government agencies and their officials are still working in silos without proper coordination. Since he took over the country's helm, Prayut has given top priority to Asean, chairing the country's numerous committees to oversee relevant policies related to Asean.

Prayut enjoyed attending the Asean summits, read all the documents, asked good questions and proposed some good ideas to his Asean colleagues, which included setting up a cybersecurity centre, better border management and jointly working together for sustainable development.

The list goes on.

But then, amazingly, during Cabinet and Asean-related meetings at Government House, he somehow did not push hard and go after all the deficiencies and loopholes that have made his Asean dream a perpetual procrastination. It is a pity that Prayut does not have anyone to monitor and keep track of policy implementation. He only has "Yes" men around him.

We all know Prayut is passionate about making a difference on the issues of human trafficking, slave workers and illegal fishing. He often punished those who failed him, especially when it comes to improving Thailand's rating in the annual Trafficking in Persons report issued by the United States. However, in the case of Asean, most of them got away scot-free.

Equally amazing are the numerous new schemes popping up these days that have diluted his Asean-related plans. Now, the Eastern Economic Corridor and the Thailand 4.0 initiatives have become the new darlings, superseding various special border economic zones and other connectivity initiatives announced as early as last year. Thailand needs to implement existing economic road maps, instead of creating new ones as publicity stunts.

In fact, Thailand must follow through on its Asean action plans related to economic, political and security as well as social and cultural pillars. It is an open secret that there is nothing new in the economic plans proposed by the country's economic team.

Existing plans, if well executed and fully enforced, would automatically transform Thailand into a modern country with seamless access and dynamic economic partnership all around.

Therefore, Thailand should follow the 500 plus action plans in the "Asean Vision 2025: Forging Ahead" because they are practical and deliverable. These plans were well thought out by all Asean members.

What is good for Thailand is also good for the rest of Asean.

Another amazing failure is that all the top economic policymakers seldom paid attention to the Asean vision, otherwise Thailand's integration would have made much more progress. Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia, with less hype and financial backing from their governments, have scored higher in their Asean schemes.

To provide a tangible example of the high tolerance of policy failure and nincompoops in Prayut's Asean, one needs to examine the on-and-off Asean Lanes at Suvarnabhumi Airport. It has become the region's laughing stock. Quite frankly nobody understands what is the purpose of the Asean Lane.

To be more specific, on June 16, at the immigration check-in for arriving passengers, I found the usual three Asean lanes, created in 2012, had disappeared. In its place were two "ACMECs Lanes". The acronym stands for the Ayawaddy-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategies, which is a subregional grouping with Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia as members.

When I asked a senior immigration office at the airport why those lanes were taken out, his quick reply was: "Please ask the phuyai upstairs".

In Thai language, "phuyai" means senior officials, meaning armchair executives of the Airport Authority of Thailand (AOT) and Immigration Bureau.

They continue to hold that the Asean Lanes are primarily for promoting tourism in Asean. So, they are temporary measures.

Literally, no one understands that those lanes are either a common effort to create an Asean identity or are parts of the Asean Charter's must-do list. In the future, all international airports in Asean must have only "Asean Lanes" and "Non-Asean Lanes". Just a few metres away at the baggage conveyors, there are imprints of flags from Asean members - such a meaningless manifestation of the Asean spirit by the AOT.

Somehow, the airport authorities gave more substance and importance to the ACMECs Lanes, even though it was just a bilateral visa-free (a single visa, two destinations) arrangement between Thailand and Cambodia since 2012.

Sadly, only Thailand has set up such an exclusive lane. Other AMECS members are not in the scheme. Again when asked why there were only ACMECS Lanes, the answer from the same official was "phuyai wants".

Thailand will chair Asean in 2019.

The Foreign Ministry's Asean Department has already mapped out a set of comprehensive strategies to boost Thailand and its regional profile. It will be an extremely important opportunity to display our true Asean spirit after the 18-month fiasco from June 2009 to December 2010 due to political upheavals.

Therefore, the only real "phuyai" in town - Prayut - should be mindful of the upcoming agenda and allow Asean professional hands to call the shots. Otherwise, he will leave behind a damning legacy on Asean.

straitstimes.com