ID :
209604
Tue, 09/27/2011 - 07:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/209604
The shortlink copeid
Former Thai Deputy PM urges ASEAN to build sense of community among its people
BANGKOK, September 27 (TNA) - Former Thai Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai says in preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, Thailand will have to ensure that Thai people develop a sense of community within the region.
Speaking at the ASEAN Community Academic Forum hosted by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Dr. Surakiart said ASEAN will have to quickly build the sense of community and the sense of ownership within the region, prior to the integration of the ASEAN Community. In the past, ASEAN was a matter of technocrats and bureaucrats, and people from all sectors did not have a sense of participation. However, Dr. Surakiart said ASEAN will now have to encourage its people to have more input in order to form the ASEAN Community.
To create the sense of community, Dr. Surakiart also said ASEAN will have to improve connectivity among its social media, the press, as well as the economic and social sectors. Furthermore, Dr. Surakiart said it is very important for the Thai government to put ASEAN at the forefront of its national agenda, and if Thailand is to open up the market for 600 million people, Thai people will have to increase their competitiveness and improve their knowledge of other markets and cultures in the region.
Dr. Surakiart added that conflict resolution within the framework of ASEAN is another important matter, as the ability to amicably resolve conflicts affects how the international community assesses ASEAN. To that end, he is optimistic about how the new government is handling foreign relations with neighboring countries. (TNA)
Speaking at the ASEAN Community Academic Forum hosted by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Dr. Surakiart said ASEAN will have to quickly build the sense of community and the sense of ownership within the region, prior to the integration of the ASEAN Community. In the past, ASEAN was a matter of technocrats and bureaucrats, and people from all sectors did not have a sense of participation. However, Dr. Surakiart said ASEAN will now have to encourage its people to have more input in order to form the ASEAN Community.
To create the sense of community, Dr. Surakiart also said ASEAN will have to improve connectivity among its social media, the press, as well as the economic and social sectors. Furthermore, Dr. Surakiart said it is very important for the Thai government to put ASEAN at the forefront of its national agenda, and if Thailand is to open up the market for 600 million people, Thai people will have to increase their competitiveness and improve their knowledge of other markets and cultures in the region.
Dr. Surakiart added that conflict resolution within the framework of ASEAN is another important matter, as the ability to amicably resolve conflicts affects how the international community assesses ASEAN. To that end, he is optimistic about how the new government is handling foreign relations with neighboring countries. (TNA)
