Why Preah Vihear Temple and Other Historic Hindu Sites Are Central to the Thailand-Cambodia Dispute
The ongoing tension between Thailand and Cambodia arises from a longstanding border disagreement centered around the Preah Vihear Temple, with both nations accusing each other of infringing on their territorial integrity.
Thailand and Cambodia have been exchanging intense artillery fire as their most severe conflict in over ten years continued into a second day on July 25. This escalation comes despite appeals from regional and international bodies for an immediate ceasefire, as the border violence has claimed at least 16 lives so far.
With the situation growing more volatile, close to 100,000 individuals were relocated from conflict areas on the Thai side. Thailand’s military reported hostilities starting before dawn in the provinces of Ubon Ratchathani and Surin, alleging that Cambodia had deployed artillery and Russian-origin BM-21 rocket launchers.
At the same time, Cambodia’s Defence Ministry stated that Thai fighter jets dropped bombs on a road near the historic Preah Vihear Temple, which has been the focal point of past confrontations. Cambodian authorities released images they said showed the extent of the damage and announced that the country’s Culture Ministry would pursue legal action under international law, stressing that the temple—recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site—is an important part of Cambodia’s cultural heritage.
THE PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE DISPUTE
Thailand and Cambodia have been at odds for decades over territorial claims along portions of their 817-km (508-mile) land border, with ancient Hindu temples like Ta Moan Thom and the 11th-century Preah Vihear at the heart of the disputes.
In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in favor of Cambodia, granting it sovereignty over the Preah Vihear Temple and an adjoining area. However, Thailand has refused to accept the court’s jurisdiction.
Tensions escalated in 2008 when Cambodia sought to register the temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site, prompting clashes over subsequent years that led to multiple fatalities.
Last month, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet revealed that his government had submitted a new appeal to the UN court regarding four disputed zones. Thailand, on the other hand, has been pushing to resolve the matter through a decades-old bilateral framework.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On May 28, a border incident near Morokot village in Cambodia’s northern Preah Vihear province resulted in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Cambodian officials claimed that their troops were carrying out a routine patrol when Thai forces opened fire.
According to the Thai military, Cambodian soldiers had entered contested territory and opened fire when Thai personnel approached them for dialogue.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Hun Manet posted on social media stating his administration will formally ask the court to settle disputes involving several regions, including the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, and Ta Kro Bei.
Back in February, Cambodian forces and their families entered the Ta Moan Thom temple, located in disputed land, and sang their national anthem, sparking a brief verbal exchange with Thai troops.
Following the recent flare-up, both governments called for restraint and dialogue to resolve their disagreements, while reiterating their right to defend their territorial claims through military means if needed.
On May 29, army commanders from both sides held discussions aimed at preventing further clashes.
CASUALTIES FROM THE THAILAND-CAMBODIA CONFLICT
As of early Friday, Thailand reported 15 deaths—14 of whom were civilians—and 46 injuries, including 15 soldiers, according to the health ministry.
Cambodia’s central government has not publicly shared any data on casualties or civilian evacuations, according to a report by Reuters.
Thailand’s deployment of an F-16 jet fighter underscores its military superiority over Cambodia, which lacks combat aircraft and possesses limited defense equipment and personnel, as noted by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Meanwhile, the United States—Thailand’s long-standing treaty ally—has called for an “immediate halt to the violence, protection of civilians, and a peaceful resolution.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)—to which both Thailand and Cambodia belong—said he had spoken with both nations’ leaders and urged a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
