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Published on November 8, 2007

But the fate of the Asean Economic Community Blueprint - to be signed along with the charter - was in doubt as the NLA set up a subcommittee to study details of the pact before the endorsement. The study would take at least one week.

NLA President Meechai Ruchuphan told the 21-member subcommittee to finish their study by November 14, in order to have enough time for consideration and endorsement before Prime Minister Surayud flies to Singapore.

Article 190 of the 2007 Constitution requires the government to seek the NLA's approval before signing agreements with foreign countries or international organisations.

The NLA approved the Asean charter with 107 votes, although many members wanted to avail their right to study the details of the charter to the maximum of 60 days as stated in Article 190.

"I agreed to pass the Asean charter, but we need to set standards for the legislative body to look into the agreements carefully before giving endorsement," said NLA member Borwornsak Uwanno.

"I don't want to see only a few members making speeches to support the agreement and we all vote 'yes' without digesting the details," he said.

The Asean charter, to be signed on November 20 by all 10 leaders of the group, will turn the 40-year-old organisation from ad-hoc to a rule-based body. The charter will give birth to a human-rights body to promote and protect human rights for people in the group, of which most members have no track record.

The Nation