Thailand faces ASEAN economic test

Much has been said and written about the ASEAN Economic Community, or AEC, and its far-reaching implications for Thailand. During the past two years, Thailand has been the most active within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as far as the AEC campaign is concerned. As much as 8 billion baht ($244.62 million) in various forms have been spent to "raise awareness and preparedness of Thailand and the Thai people for the AEC".

The emphasis has been largely concentrated on economic-related activities, even though the politico-security and socio-cultural pillars are equally important.

During the peak of the AEC campaign, literally all government agencies - in Bangkok as well as provincial areas, especially those bordering ASEAN member states - received special budgets to organize seminars and events to welcome the AEC. The Thai ministries of Education, Commerce, and Culture and Social Development received the bulk of the funds. Even the Ministry of Defense was given more than 200 million baht as part of the preparation for the AEC.