The other candidate, former Thai permanent representative to the UN, Khunying Luxanachandhorn Laohaphan were interviewed earlier.

According to an informed source, Surin scored the highest marks with a wide margin followed by Luxananchandhorn and Manaspas.

The committee will soon submit the name of the most suitable candidate to Foreign Minister Nitya Pibunsonggram, who will inform the Cabinet.

Then, Thailand proposed the name of the next secretary general to the Asean foreign ministers at their meeting later next month in Manila.

Formal endorsement will be at the Asean summit in Singapore on 19-21 November 2007.

When the Foreign Ministry announced publicly for a suitable candidate for this prestigious position, 12 persons applied making of former diplomats and bureaucrats. Last month, three names where shortlisted.

All the short-listed candidates were asked to present their views and visions of Asean and its future.  Surin expressed his vision concerning the potential of Asean in the world today and said opportunities are endless, according to the source.

The successful candidate will serve for a five-year term and speaks on behalf of the 10-member Asean at its headquarter in Jakarta with a staff of 57 from all member countries together with over 200 local officers. This year Asean has a budget of 9.5 million dollars, coming from membership fees.

The selelcting committee comprised Kusuma Snidwong, chairman of advisory board of Istitute of Security and International Studies, Gothom Areeya, Secretary General of National Economic and Social Advisory Council, Phaen Wannavathee, former Asean secretary general, Tej Bunnag, former pernament secretary for foreign affairs, Dr Suthat Setboonsrang, former Asean deputy secretary general and Srirat Rastapana, deputy secretary general to the Cabinet.

The Nation