Reference: Rudd's APC proposal does not belittle Asean, Postbag, January 21, 2009

It may be true that it is not the intent of the Asia Pacific Community proposal to belittle Asean (Rudd's APC proposal does not belittle Asean, Postbag, January 21, 2009), but there is no doubt that should a powerful new Asian community of rich nations arise that sidelines Asean it will make Asean even less relevant than it is today. The APC, does pose a threat to Asean even if it is unintentional. Australia has apparently overlooked its closest Asian neighbors when it chose to identify more closely with Asia; possibly because the inclusion of Burma makes Asean too toxic to handle.

Cha-am Jamal

Thailand