Thailand insists on supporting AC

BANGKOK, August 8 (TNA) - On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs insists on Thailand’s support for the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) by 2015. Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaiku confirmed the national stance when presiding over a hoisting ceremony of the ASEAN and Thai flags, held to celebrate the 45th anniversary of ASEAN in Bangkok Wednesday morning, in which his ministry's executives and the Thai ambassador and permanent representative to ASEAN, as well as students from over 70 secondary schools nationwide participated. Surapong said that Thailand had joined forces with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore to form the ASEAN and to become its founding member states, and that the grouping has been growing to be a 10-member bloc presently with expanded cooperation in all dimensions, including peace, political, security socio-economic and cultural spheres. Surapong said that ASEAN's activities this year focus on promoting the connection among member states, as proposed by Thailand. The foreign minister also urged Thai people to improve their capabilities to prepare for the AC, referring especially to their skills in English and other languages of neighboring ASEAN countries. (TNA)