Cooperation in border areas among some Southeast Asian mainland countries: a case study of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle

Abstract

Mainland Southeast Asia includes the countries: Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. With particularly important geostrategic value1, mainland Southeast Asia is increasingly attracting the attention of major countries. Along with existing potential and advantages, the presence of major countries in the region is an opportunity to promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation through mechanisms and initiatives that contribute to promoting cooperation between the countries, especially in border areas between countries. Border cooperation in mainland Southeast Asia has received attention from the countries of Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to both strengthen cooperation to promote the economy and improve people’s lives in the region border, ensuring national security and preventing crime. Typical of the border cooperation mechanism of mainland Southeast Asia is the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle (CLVDT) which established in 1999.