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HUA HIN, Thailand - The 15th ASEAN Summit has opened in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin, with calls to work closely to enhance connectivity and integration.

Opening the summit on Friday, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said several developments in ASEAN have made the grouping well-recognised in the eyes of the international community.

Among them is the implementation of the ASEAN Charter, which now makes the organisation more rules-based.

Next month, ASEAN will have its meeting with the United States when President Barack Obama visits Singapore for the APEC Leaders Summit. There are also plans to convene the ASEAN-Russia Summit next year.

However, the Thai premier and current ASEAN chair said there is much work ahead for the 10-member grouping to achieve the vision of an economic community by 2015.

Firstly, ASEAN must deal decisively with internal and external threats to member states. Next, it has to boost connectivity within the region, for which Mr Abhisit said the proposed ASEAN Infrastructure Fund deserves support from the leaders.

Lastly, the launch of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights on Friday has to generate momentum amongst ASEAN countries to protect rights in the region.

Mr Abhisit believes the new body will also help to increase the comfort level among member states to accept a more enhanced role for the organisation.

The 15th ASEAN Summit in Hua Hin takes place after an earlier one in Pattaya was cancelled, following large-scale protests by rival political parties in the country