A majority of people believe the launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) gives the region more bargaining power in dealing with the world community, according to an opinion poll by Bangkok University, or Bangkok Poll.
The survey was made on June 15-17 with 1,132 respondents aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country .
The AEC was launched six months ago on Dec 31, 2015.
Asked what changes they have seen in the last six months, 87.3% of respondents agreed there were larger numbers of migrant workers, 78.2% mutual assistance among Asean members in times of disaster, 74.5% higher job competition, and 67.8% more cooperation between Asean members.
Asked to what extent they think the existence of AEC will affect their daily life or work, 42.6% thought the effect would be moderate, 32.2% believed it would be high, and 25.1% minimal.
To the question which Asean countries they want to visit the most, 32.9% named Singapore, 19.6% Laos, 13.0% Vietnam, 12.0% Myanmar, 6.4% Malaysia, 5.5% Brunei, 4.5% Indonesia, 3.2% the Phililippines, and 2.9% Cambodia.
Asked whether they want the AEC countries to use a common currency, like the European Union, a majority of 58.8% said "no", 33.7% "yes", and 7.5% were uncertain.
To the question whether they now felt like a citizen of Asean, part of the AEC, 53.6% of respondents described their feelings as moderate; 24.7% said little such feeling, and 21.7% said a high level of feeling.
Asked whether they think the AEC would give the region a higher bargaining power in dealing with the world community, 73.1% said "yes", 14.4% said "no", and 12.5% were uncertain.