This article reports on Myanmar’s navy detaining four Thai nationals for allegedly trespassing in Myanmar’s waters. They are in the middle of talks to return the four Thai sailors unharmed. This was kicked off by Myanmar ships opening fire on a fishing vessel and capturing one ship containing 31 crew four of which being Thai nationals. Thai officials recognize the violation of international boundaries by their fishing vessels but were put off by the disproportionate use of force by Myanmar. The Myanmar Military government claimed in a statement that they had not entered Thai waters when they captured the Thai vessel.
This is a prime example of countries using diplomacy before uses of force on one side. Meanwhile Myanmar jumped directly to military action on civilian vessels that realistically should have just been escorted out of their waters. This seizure of a Thai vessel can be seen as a defensive move by the Myanmar Military but most outside viewers who don’t completely understand the interplay of South-East Asian countries would see this as an over reaction from the Myanmar government and seeing Thailand is in the right and rightfully requesting the return of their citizens. Though may need to control their own boats crossing into Thai waters more carefully.
This is a small example of two near pear countries interacting with one another as neither of these two countries has a large gap in power most of the diplomacy is based on more quid pro quo and need to agree together and work it out rather than just bullying the other into submission. In this current international system this is the closest example of how countries would operate on a multipolar system. Being near in power creates a dynamic where there is less stability between states due to the fact that they are near the same level instead of a unipolar or bipolar system that could create some more leverage based on who these countries are allied with.