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GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO EXAMINE SOUTHEAST ASIA'S ECONOMIC RISE AT BANGKOK CONFERENCE
JUNE 8-10, 2005

(Bangkok, Thailand – June 8, 2005) – Top government and business leaders have gathered in Bangkok to examine Thailand and Southeast Asia’s increasing role in the global economy at the Asia Society’s 15 th Asian Corporate Conference at the Shangri-La Hotel. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra delivered the Opening Keynote Address at tonight’s Gala Opening Dinner, which was attended by more than 700 delegates representing 38 countries. The conference, “Southeast Asia Rising: A Region Booming Among Asia’s Economic Giants,” continues through June 10 and will examine Thailand’s potential to maintain strong economic growth over the long term.

“As countries throughout Southeast Asia continue to face the challenge of sustaining their economic momentum, now is a very appropriate time to bring the Asia Society’s Asian Corporate Conference to Thailand,” said Asia Society President Vishakha N. Desai. “We look forward to the discussion and exchange among this high-level global constituency on Southeast Asia’s economic future. We are honored to be working in partnership with Dow Jones and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, in cooperation with business associations and councils from all over the world.”

The conference has attracted delegations from Australia, China, India, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States.

Conference participants will explore a range of issues affecting Southeast Asia’s growth potential. Panel topics include Thailand’s economic strategy as a model for growth in the region; Southeast Asia’s energy and infrastructure needs; trade liberalization and foreign investment in Southeast Asia’s key sectors; enhanced economic partnerships between India and Southeast Asia; and implications of China’s rise and Japan’s recovery.

Taking place six months after the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster, the conference will also serve as a forum for government and business leaders from around the world to come together and focus on ongoing needs in the affected areas, as well as regional and international cooperation in the reconstruction effort. This effort is part of t he Asia Society’s Tsunami Response Project that aims to educate the public on the long-term political, economic, social, cultural and environmental effects of the tsunami on the countries of Asia and on the future of U.S.-Asia relations.

Conference speakers from the Royal Thai Government include Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai; Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon ; Minister of Commerce Thanong Bidaya; Minister of Energy Viset Choopiban; and Minister of Industry Watana Muangsook. Other government speakers include: Laura Cha, Member, Executive Council, Hong Kong S.A.R.; Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister, Singapore; Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister, Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; Ong Keng Yong, Secretary General, ASEAN ; Jairam Ramesh, Member of Parliament, India; and Kevin M. Rudd, Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Security, Australia.

Co-organized by the Asia Society, Dow Jones & Company Inc. and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the conference has attracted a number of distinguished sponsors. American International Group, Inc. is the Lead Corporate Benefactor. Corporate Contributors include: Bangkok Bank; Ford Motor Company; New Songdo City Development, LLC; and Philip Morris Thailand Limited. Corporate Supporters include: Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited, Citigroup, IBM Thailand Company Limited, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, PTT Public Company Limited, Saha-Union Pcl., Thai Airways, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau and Unocal Thailand, Ltd.

The conference is held with special support from Jim Thompson, Microsoft, Pfizer (Thailand) Ltd., PTT Exploration and Production, and the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok. Collaborating organizations include: The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, The Federation of Thai Industries, The Thai Bankers’ Association, The Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thai Institute of Directors, Thailand Board of Investment, Thailand-U.S. Business Council, US-ASEAN Business Council and the U.S.-Thailand Business Council. CNBC Asia Pacific is the Regional Broadcast Media Partner. Additional conference information is available on the web at: www.AsiaSociety.org/conference. The text of available speeches will be made available on the website at the conclusion of the conference.

The Asia Society annually presents a high-profile corporate conference in Asia to examine the implications of macroeconomic trends and geopolitical developments for the region and the world. Plans are currently underway for the Asia Society’s 16 th Asian Corporate Conference, which will be held in Mumbai, India in March 2006. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to give the opening keynote address. The conference will be co-organized with Dow Jones & Company Inc. and the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Since 1989, the Asian Corporate Conference has attracted a combined audience of more than 12,000 participants from all over the world.

About the Asia Society
Asia Society is an international organization dedicated to strengthening relationships and deepening understanding among the peoples of Asia and the United States. The Society presents educational programs on Asian contemporary affairs and cultures for professional audiences, including business executives, foreign affairs specialists, the media and the general public. The Asia Society's Business Programs provide a leading forum for executives to meet the policy makers and business leaders who shape the Asia Pacific business environment. Asia Society is headquartered in New York, with regional centers in Washington, D.C., Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Manila, Melbourne and Shanghai. For more information, visit www.asiasociety.org.

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