Can Cambodia trust ASEAN?

"Silence is not necessarily golden"

Can Cambodia trust ASEAN?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. These countries are well known to have closer relationship with the West and economically stable. Thailand is one of the senior countries and is one of the so-called “Founding Fathers” of ASEAN.

Later on ASEAN membership has expanded to include Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. These countries are well known as communistic, dictatorship and are closer to China than to the West.

Cambodia is the youngest or newest member of all. It was accepted by ASEAN on April 30, 1999. I am not sure in what class Cambodia is categorized, but if Thailand is one of the “Founding Fathers” then Cambodia is only the newest “kid” on the block.

Can Cambodia trust ASEAN?

ASEAN aims include the “acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, the protection of the peace and stability of the region, and to provide opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully.” The following is ASEAN’s Anthem:

The ASEAN Way

Raise our flag high, sky high
Embrace the pride in our heart
ASEAN we are bonded as one
Look-in out-ward to the world.
For peace, our goal from the very start
And prosperity to last.
We dare to dream we care to share.
Together for ASEAN
we dare to dream,
we care to share for it's the way of ASEAN!

Obviously, the recent fighting or the border war between an aggressive Founding Farther and a new kid on the block proves that ASEAN cannot handle its own problems. ASEAN’s motto: "One Vision, One Identity, One Community" or "10 countries, 1 identity” and the Southeast Asian Anthem (written and composed by the Thai) are humiliations to all members of ASEAN for they contradict such current actions taken by Thailand toward Cambodia.

Cambodia may have to think twice to let ASEAN handle its national issues because it appears that what Thailand says and does are two different things. The United Nations is the best organization to help solve Cambodia’s problems against Thailand. Bilateral talk or multilateral talk with ASEAN’s involvement will give Thailand the upper hand.

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12448622