ASEAN

Economic sovereignity enables the community to deal with macro economic policies that suit each nation's level of development but cooperation in terms of accessibility to each other's market is essential.

  Food security and improving the quality of food available would provide social stability.Thailand has improved the agricultural produce to be able to be self sufficient but sacrificed in terms of environmental degradation.perhaps sustainability would be a more eco friendly model of raising agricultural output without the hazardous impact on the health of farming community or the consumers.
The agrricultural output has spin off benefits to the tourism sector,food and beverage industries, and sme manufacturing of cannedor processed food and others. Myanmar markets seem to lack the availability of local agricultural products even for basics like eggs,fresh local fruit and vegetables.Being dependent on imports would not be a long term sustainable solution but they should undergo training in co-operative ventures with the Thais to use technology to speed up agricultural production in a sustainable manner.Farmer's rights to their land is vital to be protected before they are grabbed for land development schemes that threaten their livelihood and cause the lop sided development ala China which sees farmers driven to migrate as seasonal workers in cities and causes socio-economic problems likethe break up of the stable family unit and slums in the cities that sees vast income disparity and environmental pollution.
     In terms of a healthy balance between sustainable tourism and preservation of traditional cultures,the symbiotic development of tourism in Bali sees a healthy coexistence between preservation of rural lifestyles and traditional architecture being maintained.No massive high rise blocks that mar the natural landscape.
     What can we learn from the mistakes and long term effects of modern " development" as we try to play catch up with the developed nations-the basic infrastructure,transportation and healthcare would be upgraded without the destruction of the values and cultures.The high rise edifices that eliminates the unique local architecture,the mono culture that displaces the cultural diversity, the sacrifice of quality of life for gross national product.