While US mediation failed, the resulting embarrassment presents an opportunity for regional leadership. The discomfiture, however, could still become a blessing in disguise if outgoing ASEAN chair Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim steps forward to communicate with the two conflicting neighbors and other regional leaders.

Anwar succeeded in bringing the two warring parties in July to agree on a ceasefire solution.

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the regional grouping's incoming chair, would likely agree to work with PM Anwar, not just to discuss the border dispute, but also to address rampant transnational crime along the border between Cambodia and Thailand, and between the border of Myanmar and China.

President Prabowo Subianto will be happy to assist if his two colleagues ask him to join. The regional leaders can expand the discussions to address at least two critical matters.

First, the adoption of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) solution mechanism. Three of the 10 members of ASEAN, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, have set a good example by settling their border disputes through the ICJ and accepting the court's verdict as final and binding.

Second, the leaders must address the urgent threat of transnational crime along the borders of Thailand and Cambodia, and on the border of Myanmar with other countries, including China. Hundreds of Indonesians have fallen victims to cross-border human trafficking, some of them died.