ASEAN member countries have called on all parties concerned to resolve the anti-government protests in Thailand “through dialogue and consultations in a peaceful and democratic manner.”

A statement posted on the website of Brunei Foreign Affairs Ministry and Trade said ASEAN members have been keeping a close eye on the current developments in Thailand, stressing that its political stability is essential to achieving a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN Community.

Brunei currently serves as rotating chair of the bloc, which groups ten Southeast Asian nations of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Meanwhile in Thailand, about 100 representatives of the public and private sectors took part in a government-held forum on December 15 chaired by Prime Minister’s Office Secretary Thongthong Chandrangsu.

At the forum, participants floated their ideas supporting the political shake-up within the legal framework, ahead of the general election scheduled for February 2 next year.-VNA