Thailand And The Formation Of ACMECS: The Potential Regional Leader Theory

Abstract

This study examines Thailand’s motives behind the formation of the Ayeyawady– Chao Phraya--Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS). Specifically, it explores the ideas behind Thailand’s formation of the group with an emphasis on membership issues. Members consist of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Using the Potential Regional Leader Theory (PRLT) developed by Hamanaka (2009), this study finds that Thailand’s formation of ACEMCS and the original membership preference are conditioned by the country’s effort to hold the leading position in a regional framework which we will argue is an unachievable goal in ASEAN.