ABSTRACT
Complexity is a word that best describes Southeast Asia. Land and sea meet in intricate patterns, forming bodies of water of varying sizes and shapes, as well as countries with widely differing characteristics regarding orientation to the oceans. Despite intraregional differences among countries and to some extent in the water bodies making up Southeast Asia, there is in the vast area a distinct sense of regionality. The largest and most populous country in Southeast Asia is an important oil producer, with most of its production from offshore wells. In common with other Southeast Asian countries, Thailand is searching for offshore oil. Thus far its efforts have been to no avail, although there have been some promising natural gas discoveries. The large number of nations bordering the South China Sea and the resource potential of the large marine region are factors that influence national marine policies.
