By Pavin Chachavalpongpun
The Straits Times (Singapore)
THE 14th Asean summit will open on Dec 13. Will Thailand be ready to host it?
Thailand is currently chairing the Asean Standing Committee and this is a special year for both Thailand and the organisation. Firstly, Asean will see its Charter coming into effect next month. Secondly, Thailand is assuming the chairmanship for 18 months, instead of the usual 12, as the grouping is going through a transition.
But concerns over Thailand's domestic problems are raising questions in Asean capitals about its ability to hold the event. Already, the host has had to shift the summit venue from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The original plan was to stage the event at Saranrom Palace, in a symbolic return to the birthplace of the Bangkok Declaration, which gave life to Asean in 1967. But the government scrapped the plan following escalating political violence in the Thai capital.
Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan has tried to put a brave face on things. Last Friday, Thailand successfully delivered its instrument of ratification of the Charter, the last of the 10 member states to do so. On receiving the instrument of ratification, Dr Surin said: 'This is certainly an occasion to celebrate for the 570 million people of Asean. This means that when the Asean leaders gather in mid-December, the Asean Charter will have come into force.'
Thailand, a founding member of Asean, has traditionally been a key player in mainland South-east Asia. Indeed, various international organisations have commended it for the aid it has given less developed countries in the region.
For example, Thai initiatives such as the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Strategy Cooperation and the Greater Mekong Sub-region Cooperation have been designed to close the development gap between the kingdom and its immediate neighbours.
But then it all went wrong for Thailand. After the military coup of September 2006 removed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power, the country has been held hostage by a series of political crises. It is unfortunate that Thailand risks having its influence in the region curtailed by its domestic troubles just when its turn to preside over Asean has come.
The regional grouping needs strong and clear direction at this critical juncture. So far, it has been slow to respond as a group to the world financial crisis.
The border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has also put Asean to a severe test. Both countries blatantly brushed aside the organisation's mechanisms, as stipulated in the Asean Charter, to resolve bilateral disputes. While Thailand preferred to deal with the problem bilaterally, Cambodia sought help from bodies such as the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation - in fact, anyone but Asean.
Meanwhile, the political headache posed by the opposition People's Alliance for Democracy continues to grow. The party has vowed to bring down the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law. It is anybody's guess what will happen in Chiang Mai when the Asean leaders meet, since the city is Thaksin's hometown.
As for Thaksin, his saga seems endless. Now a fugitive from the Thai justice system, he has vowed to take political revenge against his opponents. But he also has to find a new overseas base as his British visa has just been revoked. And the latest twist in the tale: He has divorced his wife of 32 years, Khunying Pojaman, though this could have been motivated by financial or legal reasons.
How will all this affect Asean? Thailand urgently needs to separate its domestic problems from its role as Asean chairman if it is to lead the grouping in these uncertain times.
Is Thailand ready to host the Asean Summit? The answer is probably 'yes'. But there is a more important issue at stake: Is Thailand ready to lead the organisation as it gears up to establish the Asean Community by 2015?
The answer is that it has shown no sign thus far that it is.
The writer is a visiting research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Thailand is currently chairing the Asean Standing Committee and this is a special year for both Thailand and the organisation. Firstly, Asean will see its Charter coming into effect next month. Secondly, Thailand is assuming the chairmanship for 18 months, instead of the usual 12, as the grouping is going through a transition.
But concerns over Thailand's domestic problems are raising questions in Asean capitals about its ability to hold the event. Already, the host has had to shift the summit venue from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The original plan was to stage the event at Saranrom Palace, in a symbolic return to the birthplace of the Bangkok Declaration, which gave life to Asean in 1967. But the government scrapped the plan following escalating political violence in the Thai capital.
Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan has tried to put a brave face on things. Last Friday, Thailand successfully delivered its instrument of ratification of the Charter, the last of the 10 member states to do so. On receiving the instrument of ratification, Dr Surin said: 'This is certainly an occasion to celebrate for the 570 million people of Asean. This means that when the Asean leaders gather in mid-December, the Asean Charter will have come into force.'
Thailand, a founding member of Asean, has traditionally been a key player in mainland South-east Asia. Indeed, various international organisations have commended it for the aid it has given less developed countries in the region.
For example, Thai initiatives such as the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Strategy Cooperation and the Greater Mekong Sub-region Cooperation have been designed to close the development gap between the kingdom and its immediate neighbours.
But then it all went wrong for Thailand. After the military coup of September 2006 removed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power, the country has been held hostage by a series of political crises. It is unfortunate that Thailand risks having its influence in the region curtailed by its domestic troubles just when its turn to preside over Asean has come.
The regional grouping needs strong and clear direction at this critical juncture. So far, it has been slow to respond as a group to the world financial crisis.
The border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has also put Asean to a severe test. Both countries blatantly brushed aside the organisation's mechanisms, as stipulated in the Asean Charter, to resolve bilateral disputes. While Thailand preferred to deal with the problem bilaterally, Cambodia sought help from bodies such as the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation - in fact, anyone but Asean.
Meanwhile, the political headache posed by the opposition People's Alliance for Democracy continues to grow. The party has vowed to bring down the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law. It is anybody's guess what will happen in Chiang Mai when the Asean leaders meet, since the city is Thaksin's hometown.
As for Thaksin, his saga seems endless. Now a fugitive from the Thai justice system, he has vowed to take political revenge against his opponents. But he also has to find a new overseas base as his British visa has just been revoked. And the latest twist in the tale: He has divorced his wife of 32 years, Khunying Pojaman, though this could have been motivated by financial or legal reasons.
How will all this affect Asean? Thailand urgently needs to separate its domestic problems from its role as Asean chairman if it is to lead the grouping in these uncertain times.
Is Thailand ready to host the Asean Summit? The answer is probably 'yes'. But there is a more important issue at stake: Is Thailand ready to lead the organisation as it gears up to establish the Asean Community by 2015?
The answer is that it has shown no sign thus far that it is.
The writer is a visiting research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
3 comments:
We should remember to Hun Sen's speech last month about the availability of Thailand to host the ASEAN summitt
I dare not to go for the ASEAN Summit in Thailand on Dec 13, 2008. I scare of my security.. Let move it to Philipine or Singapore or Vietname...
Hun Xen
thailand should never be allow to lead asean. it can't even put its own house in order! what kind of example is that? god bless cambodia.
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