Cambodia and Thailand officials to meet to discuss truce

Cambodia and Thailand officials to meet to discuss truce

The two countries agreed to hold talks using their General Border Committee, an established bilateral mechanism, with Thailand proposing that it takes place at the border line in the Thai province of Chanthaburi, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told a briefing in Kuala Lumpur.

<Cambodia and Thailand officials to meet to discuss truce - Asia & Pacific - The Jakarta Post>

With war in mind, Thai military rolls out battle plans on Cambodia front

With war in mind, Thai military rolls out battle plans on Cambodia front

Show of force is designed to deter Phnom Penh from escalating conflict, analysts say

<With war in mind, Thai military rolls out battle plans on Cambodia front - Nikkei Asia>

Advent of the Era of the AEC and Its Impact on Singapore and Indonesia(45)

Comparative Study on the Perception and Response of Singapore and Indonesia

Above all things, doubts are cast upon the massive disparity of the social and cultural environment among the member countries. There exists considerable economic gap in the region, too. 

For instance, Brunei, an oil-producing country was shined with its per capita GDP of 28,240 USD in 2017 while Cambodia, one of the poorest countries in the region only recorded per capita GDP of 1,390 USD during the same period.

Advent of the Era of the AEC and Its Impact on Singapore and Indonesia(8)

Comparative Study on the Perception and Response of Singapore and Indonesia

As widely known, the ASEAN consists of 10 member states. 5 countries including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam are located in the continental ASEAN. Remaining 5 countries, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines are positioned in the maritime area. 

Since its foundation slightly more than 50 years ago, the ASEAN has evolved into one of the most dynamic regions with speedy economic achievements. 

Advent of the Era of the AEC and Its Impacts on Singapore and Indonesia(18)

Comparative Study on the Perception and Response of Singapore and Indonesia

For example, in spite of the recent economic boost, CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) are estimated to possess only around 5% share of the overall ASEAN GDP (Growth Domestic Product). 

In this regard, this paper primarily concentrates on two countries. They are Singapore and Indonesia in the maritime Southeast Asia. The two countries shouldn't be thought lightly of in any economic point of view in the region.

Advent of the Era of the AEC and Its Impacts on Singapore and Indonesia(2)

Comparative Study on the Perception and Response of Singapore and Indonesia

While Myanmar is still under international criticism for the massacre against its minority group, Indonesians witness social conflicts with controversy over the majority religious party's alleged attempt to exercise influences on the political sector. 

Though the ASEAN members are faced with their own weighty political or diplomatic issues, all countries pay close attention to one regional watershed in common. It is the AEC (ASEAN Economic Community) which marked the 3rd year of its ambitious inauguration 48 years after the establishment of the ASEAN in 1967.

Advent of the Era of the AEC and Its Impacts on Singapore and Indonesia(8)

Comparative Study on the Perception and Response of Singapore and Indonesia

As widely known, the ASEAN consists of 10 member states. 5 countries including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam are located in the continental ASEAN. Remaining 5 countries, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines are positioned in the maritime area. 

Since its foundation slightly more than 50 years ago, the ASEAN has evolved into one of the most dynamic regions with speedy economic achievements. Experts have pointed out that the ASEAN's remarkable performance has been greatly attributed to its economic cooperation and integration initiatives picking up steam over the last two decades. 

Advent of the Era of the AEC and Its Impacts on Singapore and Indonesia(7)

Advent of the Era of the AEC and Its Impacts on Singapore and Indonesia

In the final section, results of comparative examination on the impacts of the AEC on Singapore and Indonesia will be demonstrated. This study will be concluded with brief suggestions especially for the governments of the two countries in hopes of stalwart execution of the AEC in the near future. 

As widely known, the ASEAN consists of 10 member states. 5 countries including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam are located in the continental ASEAN. Remaining 5 countries, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines are positioned in the maritime area.

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(5)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

The question is whether the AEC can evolve itself something beyond a regional agreement body. Doubts are cast upon the significant disparity of the social and cultural environment among the member countries. In addition, neither a single currency nor a central decision-making tower as those in the EU can’t be found. 

There exists considerable economic gap in the region as well. For example, Singapore is acclaimed to be in the rich Northern Hemisphere while Cambodia only records per capita GDP of about 1,000 USD.

 

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(5)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

The question is whether the AEC can evolve itself something beyond a regional agreement body. Doubts are cast upon the significant disparity of the social and cultural environment among the member countries. In addition, neither a single currency nor a central decision-making tower as those in the EU can't be found. 

There exists considerable economic gap in the region as well. For example, Singapore is acclaimed to be in the rich Northern Hemisphere while Cambodia only records per capita GDP of about 1,000 USD. In this sense, it is no wonder that a tough itinerary is anticipated on the way to the substantial integration of the AEC.

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(5)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

Doubts are cast upon the significant disparity of the social and cultural environment among the member countries. In addition, neither a single currency nor a central decision-making tower as those in the EU can’t be found. 

There exists considerable economic gap in the region as well. For example, Singapore is acclaimed to be in the rich Northern Hemisphere while Cambodia only records per capita GDP of about 1,000 USD. In this sense, it is no wonder that a tough itinerary is anticipated on the way to the substantial integration of the AEC.

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(6)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

There exists considerable economic gap in the region as well. For example, Singapore is acclaimed to be in the rich Northern Hemisphere while Cambodia only records per capita GDP of about 1,000 USD. 

In this sense, it is no wonder that a tough itinerary is anticipated on the way to the substantial integration of the AEC. In spite of the skepticism raised, the importance of the birth of a sizable single economic community shouldn’t be underestimated. 

Establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(5)

Establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

There exists considerable economic gap in the region as well. For example, Singapore is acclaimed to be in the rich Northern Hemisphere while Cambodia only records per capita GDP of about 1,000 USD. In this sense, it is no wonder that a tough itinerary is anticipated on the way to the substantial integration of the AEC. 

In spite of the skepticism raised, the importance of the birth of a sizable single economic community shouldn't be underestimated. Along with Africa and South America, the ASEAN has been called as the symbol of underdeveloped areas.

The foundation of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(5)

The foundation of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

In addition, neither a single currency nor a central decision-making tower as those in the EU can't be found. There exists considerable economic gap in the region as well. For example, Singapore is acclaimed to be in the rich Northern Hemisphere while Cambodia only records per capita GDP of about 1,000 USD. In this sense, it is no wonder that a tough itinerary is anticipated on the way to the substantial integration of the AEC.

In spite of the skepticism raised, the importance of the birth of a sizable single economic community shouldn't be underestimated. Along with Africa and South America, the ASEAN has been called as the symbol of underdeveloped areas. Thus, major powers like America, the EU and China would remain invincible if the ASEAN members try to compete with them individually.

The foundation of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(5)

The foundation of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

For example, Singapore is acclaimed to be in the rich Northern Hemisphere while Cambodia only records per capita GDP of about 1,000 USD. In this sense, it is no wonder that a tough itinerary is anticipated on the way to the substantial integration of the AEC. In spite of the skepticism raised, the importance of the birth of a sizable single economic community shouldn’t be underestimated. 

Along with Africa and South America, the ASEAN has been called as the symbol of underdeveloped areas. Thus, major powers like America, the EU and China would remain invincible if the ASEAN members try to compete with them individually.

Establishment of ASEAN Economic Community(3)

Establishment of the AEC(ASEAN Economic Community) and its implication for South Korea

What will be the ASEAN like in the time of the AEC? It may be too early to forecast the AEC in 10~20 years when the AEC just pulled up its anchor. Even short-term outlook is not an easy thing to challenge as emerging markets with high volatility consist of most parts of the region. 

This could explain why negative voices concerning the future of the AEC started to be echoed. The question is whether the AEC can evolve itself something beyond a regional agreement body. Doubts are cast upon the significant disparity of the social and cultural environment among the member countries. 

In addition, neither a single currency nor a central decision-making tower as those in the EU can’t be found. There exists considerable economic gap in the region as well. 

For example, Singapore is acclaimed to be in the rich Northern Hemisphere while Cambodia only records per capita GDP of about 1,000 USD. In this sense, it is no wonder that a tough itinerary is anticipated on the way to the substantial integration of the AEC.

Establishment of the AEC and its implication(2)

Establishment of the AEC(ASEAN Economic Community)

What will be the ASEAN like in the time of the AEC? It may be too early to forecast the AEC in 10~20 years when the AEC just pulled up its anchor. Even short-term outlook is not an easy thing to challenge as emerging markets with high volatility consist of most parts of the region. This could explain why negative voices concerning the future of the AEC started to be echoed.

The question is whether the AEC can evolve itself something beyond a regional agreement body. Doubts are cast upon the significant disparity of the social and cultural environment among the member countries. In addition, neither a single currency nor a central decision-making tower as those in the EU can’t be found. There exists considerable economic gap in the region as well. For example, Singapore is acclaimed to be in the rich Northern Hemisphere while Cambodia only records per capita GDP of about 1,000 USD. In this sense, it is no wonder that a tough itinerary is anticipated on the way to the substantial integration of the AEC.

In spite of the skepticism raised, the importance of the birth of a sizable single economic community shouldn’t be underestimated. Along with Africa and South America, the ASEAN has been called as the symbol of underdeveloped areas. Thus, major powers like America, the EU and China would remain invincible if the ASEAN members try to compete with them individually. However, situation would be different if joint efforts of the 10 countries to cope with superpowers is designed and carried out.

As the old saying goes, “United we stand, divided we fall”, the countries will have their confidence built up step by step. The economic clout will be further strengthened if the ASEAN succeeds in actualizing the AEC. Consequently, the influence of the AEC on the regional security issues will be also growing bigger. Against this background, hopes are high that the beginning of the AEC will serve an opportunity to create a new landscape for the 21^st century.