ASEAN Nations Not Always Neighborly Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The ASEAN nations Thailand and Myanmar have a history of wars between their two nations. One of the most famous conflicts ended with the death of Queen Suriyothai who entered battle disguised as a man. What type of animal was she riding in this battle?

Answer: an elephant

This battle took place when the King of Burma invaded Siam with the hopes of taking the capitol of Ayutthaya in 1548. The story is told that Queen Suriyothai, concerned about her husband, King Maha Chakkraphat, rode into battle disguised as a man and she was killed by a scythe.

2. In 1963 the nation of Malaysia was formed when the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak was created. This action was actively opposed with the use of military might by which of the following ASEAN nations?

Answer: Indonesia

Indonesia's President Sukarno was opposed to the formation of a unified Malaysia for a variety of reasons; the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI)supported him in the idea that this new nation would only be a continuation of control from Britain under the guise of independence. The Philippines also opposed this unified Malaysia because of territorial disputes over parts of Borneo.

The formation of the Federation of Malaysia took place in September of 1963. Singapore was included until it became independent in 1965. Brunei was invited to join, but declined to do so.

3. Singapore became independent from the Federation of Malaysia in 1965. One of the factors that led to this separation was the issue of bumiputra. What is this?

Answer: positive racial discrimination

The United Malays' National Organization (UNMO) supported policies that favored ethnic Malays, believing that the large number of immigrants who had come to the area during colonization were at an advantage and that this needed to be corrected so that the Malays could enjoy the benefits of the new nation as well.

The People's Action Party (PAP) of Singapore disagreed with these policies. The term "bumiputra" comes from Sanskrit and means "son of the soil". These racial tensions, according to some, have continued to be an issue to be dealt with in Malaysia.

4. A group of islands, atolls and reefs in the South China Sea is the site of a dispute between four ASEAN nations (Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines) as well as China and Taiwan. These nations lay claim to various islands, building structures and even occupying some of them. What is this disputed island group called?

Answer: Spratly Islands

Tensions between the nations that dispute these islands have been high at times, but most recently the situation has been dealt with successfully through diplomatic means. The ASEAN nations and China have held talks with the purpose of developing a free trade zone in the area, and they also recognize the need to create a code of conduct that will ease tensions. Despite these positive moves the situation, with historic roots, is far from over.

The Spratly Islands are considered valuable because of oil and gas reserves, commercial fishing and shipping.

5. Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam, was the site of an attack by a neighboring Southeast Asian nation in May of 1975. This attack began a war between Vietnam and which other ASEAN nation?

Answer: Cambodia

Sporadic fighting took place between the two nations between 1975 and 1978. Despite the fact that they had worked together during the Vietnam War suspicions on the part of both sides led to more conflict. A military invasion of Kampuchea (Cambodia) by Vietnam took place on December 25, 1978 and the Khmer Rouge was removed from power. Beginning in January 1979 there was a ten-year occupation of Cambodia by Vietnam.

This conflict also involved Thailand indirectly because the Vietnamese made raids into Thailand seeking members of the Khmer Rouge who were sheltered there by the Thai government.

6. Two neighboring ASEAN nations have been in dispute over the area surrounding an ancient Hindu temple named Phra Viharn Temple. Military forces have been present from both sides, leading to clashes that have resulted in injuries and death. What two nations are involved in this dispute?

Answer: Thailand and Cambodia

Cambodia and Vietnam were not members of ASEAN at the time, but both later joined the organization. Phra Viharn Temple is situated in Phra Viharn province in Cambodia, according to a decision by The Hague in 1962. The temple is most easily accessible through the Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Sisaket Province, Thailand, and the area has been in dispute for over 100 years. Initial surveys done in 1904 by the Siamese and French governments placed most of the temple on Thailand's side, but survey documents presented in 1907 placed the entire temple in Cambodia. Tensions escalated in 2008 and have continued, with military action taking place.

India and Nepal are not members of ASEAN, but the other nations in the incorrect answer all are.

7. The Phnom Penh riots of 2003 resulted in the destruction of the Thai embassy as well as attacks on several Thai-owned businesses. What led to these riots against Thailand?

Answer: Statement that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand instead of Cambodia

In a January 18, 2003 newspaper story it was reported that Thai actress, Suvanant Kongying, said that Cambodia had stolen Angkor Wat from Thailand. This was particularly offensive to the Cambodian people as the famous temple complex is a symbol of the nation and a great source of national pride.

The situation was resolved by two of the incorrect answers. Military aircraft from Thailand flew in to evacuate Thai citizens and the border between the two countries was closed to Thai and Cambodians citizens, but not to others.

The Cambodian government paid $6 million in compensation for damages; some alleged that only half of that was actually paid.

8. Tense relations between Thailand and another ASEAN nation came about as the result of a comedic movie called "Lucky Loser" which was set to be released in Thailand in 2006. Which country was this?

Answer: Laos

Originally the fictional movie was about the national football team of Laos' bid to play in the World Cup. Concerns were raised by Laotian foreign ministry officials that this would be offensive to the Laos people and might result in violence similar to the Phnom Penh riots of 2003. Changes were made to the movie and it was finally released with the national football team coming from a fictitious nation called Arvee.

9. Disputes over maritime boundaries have been part of the history of ASEAN and some continue to this day. Which of the following has NOT been involved in a dispute of this type?

Answer: Laos

Laos is landlocked and therefore is not involved in any maritime disputes although it has experienced disputes over land borders. Maritime disputes in the 21st century between ASEAN nations include disputes between Malaysia and Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, Cambodia and Thailand, and The Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia.

10. One ASEAN nation has been censured by neighboring nations because of its refusal to move toward real democracy, but this changed when open elections were held there in 2012. Of which nation did the ASEAN countries request that sanctions by western nations be dropped?

Answer: Myanmar

The ruling government of Myanmar allowed open elections in April 2012 and Aung San Suu Kyi, who had been recently released from years of house arrest, was allowed to run. She was victorious and was elected to parliament. This release and election were both instrumental in the ASEAN nations encouraging Myanmar's change in status among the world's nations.

Source: Author SP44000

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Nations making up ASEAN cooperate to foster progress and development in the region, but this has not always been the case. This quiz is about some of those times when they didn't act so neighborly, both before and after membership of ASEAN.

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