Indonesia To Monitor the Thai-Cambodian Border Dispute

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to let Indonesia, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), send monitors to their disputed border region and accepted ASEAN mediation in future talks on the matter. This represents an expedient concession on the part of Thailand, which is in the midst of a contentious election season, but is not a total victory for Cambodia. Indonesia's moves will be important to watch, but historical perspective suggests the presence of foreign observers will not lead to a permanent resolution on the border.