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Published on November 25, 2007

 The first international congress of administrative judges in Asia drew to a close in Bangkok yesterday to resounding acclaim.

"It was wonderfully organised and the best congress we have ever had," said Patrick Frydman, the association's secretary-general from France.

The Ninth Congress of the International Association of Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions (IASAJ), which opened on Thursday, was the first time that the triennial event was held in this region.

Other IASAJ executives also lavished praise on the host during a post-conference press briefing at the riverside Shangri-La Hotel.

Frydman said the IASAJ hoped to expand its membership to cover large countries like the United States, India and Japan. The association would also try to encourage more active participation from current member countries.

The Paris-based IASAJ has 63 member organisations from all over the world.

At this congress, Great Britain was elevated to a full member from its observer status.

Two senior Australian judges were elected co-presidents. They are Michael Black, chief justice of the Federal Court, and Garry Downes, president of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Their organisations are both IASAJ members.

The congress moves to Sydney, Australia in 2010.

Black said he expected the next congress to focus on the intersection of common law and civil law.

He cautioned against aggressive expansion of membership, saying it could imperil close cooperation among members.

Black and Downes said they were deeply impressed with their meeting with His Majesty the King. They were among the delegation heads led by Supreme Administrative Court president Ackaratorn Chularat to a royal audience at Chitralada Palace on Friday.

Judge Vishnu Varunyou, the secretary of this congress, said participants from around the world shared their insights and information on the theme of this year's gathering, "The Status of Administrative Judges".

The discussion focused on three key aspects involving administrative judges - their selection, promotion, and duties and work ethics.

Ackaratorn, the outgoing IASAJ head, said Thailand would study the experiences and views of other countries and adopt those that benefited the country most.

Copies of an 844-page book in Thai, English and French with summaries of minutes from the eight previous congresses were distributed to participants and the press. 

Kittipong Thavevong

 The Nation