Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda reportedly led a failed effort to strengthen the future powers of Southeast Asia's first regional human rights body during talks Sunday in Thailand.

Plans for the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights are set to be approved at the Asean conference now underway in the Thai resort town of Phuket.

The new body has been criticized as toothless since it will not be able to monitor or punish member nations.

Officials said Wirajuda, joined by the Thai delegation, led a strong last-minute push to increase the body's powers. But a senior regional diplomat, speaking anonymously, told AFP that some of Indonesia's proposals were "not acceptable" to countries such as Burma.

Thai Prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva later told reporters the commission would focus on promoting human rights, rather than protecting them. "It's better to make a start than to leave it hanging, with no progress at all," Abhisit said. (AFP, AP)