President Bush has discussed the challenges facing democracy in the Asia-Pacific region with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian nations.
Meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Hanoi, Mr. Bush addressed recent developments in Thailand and the situation in Burma.
U.S. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley said the president called on ASEAN leaders to urge fellow member nation Burma give its people greater freedom and an opportunity to participate in the government.
Hadley said Mr. Bush also spoke about the need for Thailand to return to a constitutional democracy.
Thailand's military-installed Prime Minister, Surayud Chulanont, is attending the two-day APEC summit.
The country has been under martial law since the former Prime MInister, Thaksin Shinawatra, was deposed by a military coup in September.
