As a free trade area, member countries expect ASEAN to ease the flow of goods and services in the region. Thailand, a member of ASEAN, anticipates significant benefits from the free trade agreement, as many of its manufactured goods are benefiting from reduced production costs. However, the reduced tariffs have negatively impacted Thailand's agricultural sector due to a greater number of imported agricultural goods.The ASEAN Economic Community has faced criticism for not protecting small and medium enterprises and for being reluctant to promote human rights and democracy in countries.