Southeast Asian ministers endorse former Thai minister as next ASEAN chief

MANILA (AP) - Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have endorsed Thailand's nomination of its ex-foreign minister, Surin Pitsuwan, to become the group's next secretary-general, officials said Wednesday.

ASEAN's heads of state are expected to approve Surin's nomination at a summit in Singapore in November, diplomat Benito Valeriano said.

Surin will assume the post in January if his nomination is approved.

The post, which has a five-year term, is currently held by Ong Keng Yong of Singapore. The job is rotated among the 10 ASEAN members in alphabetical order.

ASEAN, founded in 1967, comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar.