ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur to tackle Thai-Cambodia tensions, Myanmar crisis amid push for regional unity
Summit bring together global and regional leaders to address escalating border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, and efforts to strengthen regional unity as Timor-Leste joins the bloc as its 11th member.
Regional conflicts are set to dominate discussions at the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, with Thailand and Cambodia’s border dispute and Myanmar’s ongoing civil war expected to top the agenda.
Malaysia, serving as ASEAN’s current rotating chair, will host more than 30 heads of state at the summit from October 26–28. Among the attendees is U.S. President Donald Trump, who is anticipated to oversee the signing of a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia — a major step toward resolving one of Southeast Asia’s most persistent territorial disputes, dw.com reports.
Centuries-Old Border Feud Reignites
Thailand and Cambodia’s border conflict dates back more than a century. However, tensions flared dramatically in July when cross-border clashes erupted, leaving at least 43 people dead and forcing over 300,000 civilians to flee their homes.
Following mediation by Malaysia, China, and the United States, a ceasefire took effect on July 29. Yet, the fragile peace remains under strain. Thailand has accused Cambodia of planting land mines along disputed sections of their shared frontier, claiming that several Thai soldiers have been injured as a result.
Phnom Penh has denied the allegations, asserting that the explosives were remnants of its own civil war, which left Cambodia among the most heavily mined countries in the world.
Washington’s Role in the Peace Process
US President Donald Trump has pledged to secure a lasting peace deal between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. Earlier this year, he threatened to impose higher trade tariffs on both countries if the conflict persisted. However, following the July ceasefire, both sides were granted a reduced tariff rate of 19%.
Mark S. Cogan, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, noted that Kuala Lumpur is relying on Washington’s involvement to reinforce its diplomatic efforts.
“Malaysia has elevated the United States and Trump in the Thai-Cambodia talks, hoping that Washington’s political pressure and economic incentives will push both sides to comply with the forthcoming Kuala Lumpur Accord,” Cogan said.
The proposed accord, set to be signed during the summit, aims to formalize commitments to maintain the ceasefire and foster long-term cooperation.
Myanmar’s Civil War Tests ASEAN Unity
While Malaysia’s mediation in the Thai-Cambodia dispute shows promise, ASEAN continues to struggle with resolving Myanmar’s deepening crisis.
Since the February 2021 military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, Myanmar has been engulfed in a civil war that has displaced more than 3.5 million people and killed thousands. Rebel groups, including ethnic armed organizations and local defense forces, continue to fight against the ruling junta.
Although an interim civilian administration has pledged to hold elections on December 28, critics say the polls are a bid to legitimize military control. International observers have already dismissed them as neither free nor fair.
Malaysia maintains that halting violence should be the top priority before any elections take place. ASEAN delegates are expected to debate whether to send observers to monitor the December vote, though skepticism remains high.
“Malaysia will have to articulate ASEAN’s stance on how to deal with Myanmar’s elections,” said Sharon Seah, a senior fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. “The junta has invited some observers, but ASEAN is unlikely to participate.”
Divided Approaches Within ASEAN
The bloc’s five-point consensus, adopted in 2021, called for an immediate end to violence, dialogue among all parties, humanitarian aid, and a special envoy visit to Myanmar. However, implementation has faltered, drawing criticism from rights groups and ASEAN member states alike.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan reiterated on Friday that Myanmar must honor its commitments under the plan and facilitate humanitarian access. Junta leaders remain barred from attending ASEAN’s high-level meetings until meaningful progress is made.
Cogan cautioned that divisions among ASEAN members could limit progress on Myanmar. “It’s hard to see how the situation improves when ASEAN is split between those favoring isolation and those advocating engagement,” he said. “Malaysia has started to challenge the bloc’s long-held policy of non-interference, but unless ASEAN norms evolve, real breakthroughs remain unlikely.”
A Step Forward in Regional Integration
Despite the challenges, ASEAN is poised to mark a milestone during the summit, as Timor-Leste will officially become the bloc’s 11th full member.
The addition of Timor-Leste — joining Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines — signals ASEAN’s continued commitment to regional expansion and cooperation, even as it grapples with some of the most complex crises in its history.
