ASEAN's weak role in bilateral dispute settlement: The case of Preah Vihear (Phra Wihan)

Authors

Gabriela Steinemann

Publication Date

2014-01-01

Abstract

This paper examines the role of ASEAN in the resolution of territorial conflicts between its member states. It studies the border dispute cases of Vietnam-Cambodia and Indonesia-Malaysia, before turning its focus to the Thai-Cambodian conflict over Preah Vihear (Phra Wihan). The domestic political contexts in both countries provided important reasons for the weak role ASEAN has been able to play. But the association's struggle to find a meaningful place in dispute settlement is not limited to Preah Vihear, and it will likely continue as long as member states are unwilling to make use of the mechanisms they once created. At the same time, the paper argues that ASEAN has been instrumental in providing venues for informal discussions as well as in the ad hoc diplomacy of its secretary-general and proactive chairs.

DOI

10.58837/CHULA.ARV.27.1.7

First Page

111

Last Page

125

Recommended Citation

Steinemann, Gabriela (2014) "ASEAN's weak role in bilateral dispute settlement: The case of Preah Vihear (Phra Wihan)," Asian Review: Vol. 27: No. 1, Article 8.
DOI: 10.58837/CHULA.ARV.27.1.7
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/arv/vol27/iss1/8