THE ROLE OF ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IN SETTLING THE DISPUTE BETWEEN CAMBODIA AND THAILAND: THE CASE OF PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE (2008-2013)

Abstract

This research analyses the strategy of ASEAN in settling dispute by elaborating ASEAN roles as a regional body toward the peaceful settlement dispute between Thailand and Cambodia in case of Preah Vihear Temple. Since ASEAN members are agreed to settle disputes with one another peacefully, it is undergoing a significant test in the confrontation between Cambodia and Thailand over the land border on which the ancient Preah Vihear temple. This research is significant in providing detailed information on the ASEAN's policy and action on dispute settlement principles especially to find out the conflict resolution in Preah Vihear Temple dispute. This research focuses the timeframe from 2008-2013 because 2008 was the year where Preah Vihear temple is awarded World Heritage status to Cambodia by the UN cultural body UNESCO. The author then limits the research to the year of 2013 because in that year, at the Peace Palace, Cambodia request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear. Information about the history of the Thai-Cambodian relations and the Preah Vihear temple will be provided. This descriptive and analytical types of research uses qualitative method and library research. In this research, author use documents from ASEAN that are available from the website and in the form of publications such as ASEAN Documents Series or ASEAN's Annual Report from 2008 until 2013. This research found that ASEAN as International Organization also as an actor in regional level took part in dispute settlement process between Thailand and Cambodia in case of Preah Vihear Temple.