NGOs in Southeast Asian countries have developed rapidly since 1980s. Being active in the areas such as democracy and human rights, resource development, environmental protection, poverty alleviation and disaster relief, health care, social welfare, the NGOs have improved the social status and extended the political influence, therefore become a new force to promote the formation of a pluralistic society in Southeast Asia, to promote the comprehensive and coordinated development of economy, society and environment as well as the process of democratization. This article focuses on the development process, characteristics of the NGOs, the relationship between the governments and the NGOs, and the roles played by the NGOs in economy, politics, society and other areas. <<