This chapter will give a brief summary of the context in which the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration in August 1967 by the five founding member countries. The circumstances surrounding the joining of the remaining five countries will also be reviewed. The main principles of the original 1967 Bangkok Declaration will be compared with those of the recently signed ASEAN Charter. An introduction to the role that English plays within the Association and the place and role of other languages underpins the chapter.