On 11th November 2012 the Hanns Seidel Foundation in cooperation with CPG/Thammasat University hosted a Dialogue Forum at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok addressing around 100 participants especially from legal sectors in Thailand.

Keynote speeches were delivered by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr Rolf Schulze, and by the General Secretary of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, followed by a panel discussion of legal experts.

Both the German Ambassador and the ASEAN General Secretary reflected on certain necessities in the framework of multilateral unions like the EU and ASEAN. With regard to the formation and development of such unions continuous international exchange and collaboration is worthwhile, the implementation and development of internationally acknowledged legal basis are essential. The existence of the rule of law is a very basic momentum for the creation of social and traditional values and must be imbedded in the political systems of the union member states as well. Democratic political structures are regarded as the most promising ground for the evolution of social values contributing to social peace everywhere. An aspect, which had been even addressed by the panel discussion.

The Dialogue Forum took place as another major activity in the course of celebrating 150 Years of German-Thai Diplomatic Relations.