ASEAN urged to create stronger bargaining power

BANGKOK, May 7 (TNA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which Thailand is a member country, has been urged to come together to create stronger bargaining power of the 10-nation bloc in the global arena. Khun Ying Laksanachanthorn Laohaphan, former director-general of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of ASEAN Affairs, made the call this morning during the 2nd Thailand National Research Universities Summit (NRU Summit II). Khun Ying Laksanachanthorn acknowledged that most world powers are eyeing ASEAN as a save haven from a global economic crisis, as the 10-member bloc has a total of up to three billion consumers, about half of the world population. With the changing world, Khun Ying Laksanachanthorn pointed out a need for all ASEAN member states to come together, as the evolving world community means that a single country will not have enough bargaining power to compete with others. The former top senior official also suggested that Thailand carries out more extensive research and development (R&D) projects to figure out the country's strengths and weaknesses, which will, in turn, give directions of what Thailand should do to be able to increase its potential as an ASEAN member state. According to the former top official, the constructive R&D projects will also help Thailand effectively compete within ASEAN in every sector. The ex-ASEAN Department chief, who is also President of ASEAN-Thailand Association, made the remarks at a special seminar entitled “The Readiness of Thai Universities to Compete in the ASEAN Community (AC)”, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, as part of the two-day NRU Summit II, which ends on May 8. (TNA)