The group earlier planned to formalise the ASEAN Charter when Thailand holds the 14th ASEAN summit meeting initially set for December 15-18 in Chiang Mai. The summit was postponed as a result of political unrest in Thailand.

The entry into force of the charter is a historic milestone for the organisation, repositioning ASEAN to better meet the challenges of the 21st century, ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said in a press statement.

The statement also said the meeting will be followed by a special meeting of the ASEAN foreign ministers to discuss a new date for the postponed 14th ASEAN summit and other matters.

Thailand has proposed to hold the rescheduled summit in March, while Singapore suggested it to take place next month.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam./.