PHUKET -- A Southeast Asian human rights body expected to be endorsed by officials here will involve compromises to ensure that military-ruled Myanmar signs on, Thailand's foreign minister said Sunday.

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are set to adopt the terms of reference for the watchdog at a meeting on Monday, ahead of the its launch by leaders of the 10-nation bloc in October.

But critics say that according to an early draft, the body will be powerless to investigate or punish abuses, with the ability only to promote rights and ask members for reports on the rights situation in their countries.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya indicated that the body would involve compromises, saying agreement on the terms governing the body had only been reached by taking into account special circumstances in some nations.

"The draft of the terms of reference reflects a consensus among Asean countries... and it is important to make this human rights body credible, but at the same time take into account the real situation in Asean member countries," Kasit told reporters after a meeting on the draft.

Asked whether the Asean rights body would have any way of enforcing human rights in Myanmar, Kasit said that under the likely terms the watchdog would "seek information from member countries on the developments inside"

But he said Myanmar had not disagreed with any of the terms of reference in the foreign ministers' meeting on Sunday, indicating that there was nothing that would curb the reclusive ruling generals.

"It has been part and parcel of the whole drawing up of the terms of reference and the foreign minister of Myanmar was here with us and agreed on the draft terms of reference," Kasit said.

Myanmar has provoked international outrage by putting long-detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on trial after an American man swam to her lakeside house in May. She faces up to five years in jail if convicted.

Human rights have been a perennial challenge for Asean in the 42 years since it was founded as a bulwark against the spread of communism. Its members now include an absolute monarchy, a dictatorship and two communist states.

Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.