ASEAN-Myanmar Relations: A Regional Conflict Trap
Keywords:
ASEAN-Myanmar relations, Myanmar conflict traps, Constructive relations and Non-interference, ASEAN’s Dilema and Aucward situation, Myanmar’s Stigma in ASEANAbstract
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been recognized as a successful, progressive regional international organizations. However, since its acceptance of Myanmar in 1997, internal problems in the latter nation have led to instabilities. After the Panglong Agreement of 1947, unresolved issues produced ethnic minority conflicts with the Myanmar central government in a quasi-civil war impacting economic and social life in a prolonged trap of conflict.
Myanmar's internal problems have significantly impacted ASEAN-Myanmar relations, despite ASEAN efforts to resolve issues effectively. This article highlights the impact of Myanmar problems that have forced ASEAN to face international pressure, especially allegations of human rights violations, genocide, and crimes against humanity. In these cases, the ASEAN conflict resolution mechanism has appeared inadequate for resolving problems in Myanmar. Following a 2021 coup d'état, ASEAN member states have determined to resolve Myanmar problems, discrepancies exist about how to approach these challenges.
The overall impact on ASEAN of the Burmese conflict trap creates a larger regional conflict trap by default, reducing ASEAN credibility as a regional international organization unable to resolve problems its member states as expected. In addition, the question arises of whether the milestone change of status from an ASEAN association to a community is
a realistic objective.
References
เกียรติชัย พงษ์พาณิชย์. (2553). พม่าผ่าเมือง. สำนักพิมพ์แสงดาว.
เวเธอร์บี, ดี.อี. (2558). อาเซียน:ความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างประเทศในเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ (เกียรติชัย พงษ์พาณิชย์, ผู้แปล.). สำนักพิมพ์แสงดาว. (ต้นฉบับพิมพ์ปี 2005).
Agen France Press. (2007, Jan 17). ASEAN Says It must Take Lead on Myanmar. https://www.afp.com/en/news-hub
Baoyan, Y. (2010). Myanmar and the ASEAN Integration Process. In L. Chenyang & W. Hofmeister (Eds.), Myanmar: prospect for change (p.237). Yunnan University Publishing.
Bruce, N. C. (2005, March 23). Malaysia Pressure Myanmar for Change. International Herald Tribune.
cogitASIA. (2013). By the Numbers: The 27th Southeast Asian Games. http://www.cogitasia.com/by-the-numbers-the-27th-southeast-asian-games/
De Gruyter. (2019). ASEAN Declaration, Bangkok, 8 August 1967. In S. Siddique & S. Kumar (Eds.), The 2nd ASEAN Reader. ISEAS Publishing. http://doi.org/10.1355/9789812305299-117
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect. (n.d.). Responsibility to Protect. https://www.globalr2p.org/
Gomez, J. (2002). ASEAN Regional Forum Urges Myanmar to Continue Reforms Democratization. Associated Press.
Hlang, K.Y. (2009). ASEAN’s Pariah: Insecurity and Autocracy in Myanmar (Burma). In D. K. Emmerson (Ed.), Hard Choices Security, Democracy and Regionalism in Southeast Asia (pp. 151-189). ISEAS Publishing. http://doi.org/10.1177/1868103421992068
Myao, M.A. (2018). Partnership in Politic: The Tatmadaw and the NLD since 2016. In Chanber, J., Mccarthy, G., Farrelly, N., & Win, C, (Eds.). Myanmar Transformed:People, Peace and Politics (pp. 201-230). ISEAN Publishing.
Myat, S.S. (2021). Explaining Myanmar’s Policy of Non-Alignment: An Analytic Eclecticism Approach. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 40(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/1868103421992068
Osman, S. (2005, April 24). Myanmar May Not Chair ASEAN. Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/global
Ott, M.C. (1998). From Isolation to Relevance: Policy Consideration. In R. I. Rotberg (Ed.), Burma: Prospect for a Democratic Future (pp.71-72). Brooking Institution Press.
Rahim, L. Z. (2007). Fragmented Community and Unconstructive Engagement:ASEAN and Burma’s SPDC Regime. Critical Asian study, 40(1), 67-88.
Rane. (2004). ASEAN: Is Myanmar the First Crack in Solidarity?. https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/asean-myanmar-first-crack-solidarity
Reuters. (2004, June 8). Malaysia MPs Launch Myanmar Democracy Push. https://www.reuters.com/
Roberts C. (2011). ASEAN’s Myanmar Crisis: Challenges to the Pursuit of a Security Community. ISEAS Publishing.
Severino, R.C. (2006). Southeast Asia in Search of an ASEAN Community. ISEAS Publishing.
Smith M. T. (2007). State of Strife: The Dynamics of Ethnic Conflict in Burma. ISEAS Publishing.
Sukyi, A.S. (1991). Freedom from Fear. Penguin book Group.
Than, M. (2005). Myanmar in ASEAN: Regional Cooperation Experience. ISEAS Publishing.
Than, M., & Muang Than, T.M. (2001). ASEAN Enlargement and Myanmar. In Mya Than & C.L. Gates (Eds.), ASEAN Enlargement: Impacts & Implications (p. 252). ISEAS Publishing.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Thai Journal of East Asian Studies
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
