Time for Action: A Call to Establish an ASEAN Peacekeeping Force
Tesh Chanthorn believes that a dedicated ASEAN peacekeeping force should be formed to deter violence in the region. ANN
-Opinion-
For decades, Southeast Asia has endured war, genocide and political violence. From Cambodia’s killing fields to Myanmar’s military atrocities, the region has suffered deeply. Yet the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), despite its commitment to peace and stability, has no standing peacekeeping force.
Previous proposals — dating back to 1994 — have called for cooperation in training and dialogue. Indonesia, Thailand and others have led efforts to build a network of peacekeeping centres. But these initiatives have never evolved into a unified force capable of protecting civilians or responding to regional crises.
I propose that ASEAN take the next step: create a formal ASEAN Peacekeeping Force, composed of trained personnel from member states, guided by humanitarian principles, and ready to act when lives are at risk.
This force would:
• Respond to mass atrocities and humanitarian emergencies
• Deter future violence through its presence and mandate
• Reflect ASEAN’s commitment to human dignity and regional solidarity
• Complement UN missions and reduce reliance on external powers
The force must be neutral, transparent and governed by consensus — but not paralysed by it. It must respect sovereignty, but not at the cost of human life.
Would the UN and Global Powers Support It?
The UN would likely welcome a regional peacekeeping initiative that aligns with its humanitarian goals. The US, France and the UK have historically supported regional security frameworks, especially those that promote human rights and stability. China and Russia, while cautious about intervention, would not oppose a force that respects sovereignty and avoids political targeting.
In short, most global powers would accept — if not actively support — an ASEAN Peacekeeping Force, especially if it is framed as a humanitarian tool rather than a political weapon.
Let ASEAN Be Remembered for Its Courage
The ASEAN Charter affirms human rights, democracy and peaceful dispute resolution. But without enforcement, these principles remain symbolic. If a leader like Pol Pot or Hitler were to rise again within the region, ASEAN’s current structure offers no guarantee of protection for the people.
Peacekeeping is not invasion — it is protection. It is the moral and practical shield that ASEAN must offer when dialogue fails and lives are at risk.
Let ASEAN be remembered not for its silence, but for its courage. Let this proposal be the beginning of a new chapter — where Southeast Asia protects its own, with dignity and resolve.
Tesh Chanthorn is a Cambodian citizen who longs for peace. The views and opinions expressed are his own.
-The Phnom Penh Post-
[Tesh Chanthorn believes that a dedicated ASEAN peacekeeping force should be formed to deter violence in the region. ANN]
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