The world community is now regaining confidence in Thailand due to new Thai government which has taken office in line with the Thai constitution, Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said on Saturday.
Dr. Surin, a former Thai foreign minister and a senior member of Thailand's now ruling Democrat Party,
said the new government, which came to power December 22, is accepted by many Thais in the belief that it could help reduce social divisions and tensions in the country.
Also, the 10 member countries of ASEAN, including Thailand, want to see the regional group's activities
and policies progress, after envoys from around the world have been accredited to the ASEAN secretariat,
and member countries have assigned their representatives to the ASEAN secretariat office as well, he said.
It is a sign of a new era for ASEAN in which every country has confidence and wants to work with, Dr. Surin said.
However, it is up to Thai people to endorse the Thai government's role in ASEAN to give the opportunity
for the advancement of the grouping in the Southeast Asian region, he said.
As Thailand now chair's ASEAN through December this year and will host the grouping's summit in Bangkok next month, Dr. Surin said that whether the Thai government survives or not will depend not only on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva alone but also on the performance of cabinet ministers and government agencies.
Thailand has in the past three years "lost bargaining power, leadership and competitiveness to others"
because of the turmoil in the country, he said, but if the chance is given to Thailand as the host of ASEAN and its leader on investment, tourism and economic promotions, Thailand would gain from being the chair and host of the summit.
