Thailand and Cambodia have been fighting for several days now, after a Cambodian soldier was killed along the borders. Both countries are pointing their fingers to each other and so far, at least 12 civilians have been killed.
But border disputes between these two countries are not new and it could be boiled down to two Hindu temples.
For decades, the Hindu temples of Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom have stood not only as relics of ancient Khmer civilization but also as flashpoints in the modern-day border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.
These historical sites, revered for their cultural and religious significance, have become symbols of national pride and sovereignty for both nations.
Their strategic locations and contested ownership have led to diplomatic standoffs, military clashes, and legal battles that continue to shape regional geopolitics.
Preah Vihear
Perched on a 525-meter cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, Preah Vihear Temple is an architectural masterpiece dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Constructed during the Khmer Empire, it holds immense cultural and spiritual value, particularly to Cambodians, for whom it represents the zenith of Khmer ingenuity.
The temple’s strategic location along the Thai-Cambodian border, however, has made it a focal point of territorial dispute.
In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia, a decision based largely on a French-drawn map accepted by Thailand in the early 20th century.
Thailand reluctantly accepted the ruling, but tensions lingered, particularly over the 4.6 square kilometer area surrounding the temple that was not clearly demarcated by the ICJ. This ambiguity laid the foundation for future disputes.
Tensions escalated in 2008 after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Preah Vihear a World Heritage Site.
Thailand objected to the move, arguing that Cambodia's application implied ownership over the surrounding disputed land.
The disagreement sparked a series of skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian troops from 2008 to 2011, resulting in casualties on both sides and the displacement of civilians.
Ta Muen Thom
While Preah Vihear often steals the spotlight, the Ta Muen Thom temple complex has also been a source of tension, albeit with less international attention.
Located in the dense forest of the Dângrêk range, Ta Muen Thom sits on what is effectively the border between Surin Province in Thailand and Oddar Meanchey Province in Cambodia.
Unlike Preah Vihear, Ta Muen Thom lies in a more ambiguous area with both sides claiming ownership.
The site consists of three temples, Ta Muen, Ta Muen Toch, and Ta Muen Thom, built along an ancient Khmer road that once connected Angkor Wat to Phimai.
Cambodian troops have historically patrolled parts of the area, while Thailand has maintained a stronger administrative and logistical presence. This has led to frequent standoffs and accusations of encroachment from both sides.
In 2009, Cambodian authorities accused Thai soldiers of damaging the temple, leading to increased tensions. Similarly, Thai officials have alleged that Cambodia has stationed troops and built infrastructure on Thai soil.
Though the intensity of conflict around Ta Muen Thom has not matched that of Preah Vihear, the temple remains a potent symbol of unresolved border issues.
Cultural Heritage and Nationalism
What makes these temples such powerful sources of conflict is not merely their disputed geography, but also their deep ties to national identity. For Cambodia, these sites are proud reminders of the Khmer Empire’s grandeur.
For Thailand, whose territory once fell under Khmer rule, the temples represent part of their own cultural heritage. This overlapping historical narrative fuels a nationalist fervor in both countries, making compromise politically sensitive.
Efforts to jointly manage or preserve the temples have repeatedly stalled due to mutual mistrust and political tensions. In both countries, nationalist groups have used the disputes to rally public sentiment and criticize perceived weakness in defending national sovereignty.
Media coverage and political rhetoric often inflame these emotions, reducing the likelihood of diplomatic resolution.
Legal and Diplomatic Implications
The ICJ played a central role in settling the initial Preah Vihear dispute, and in 2013 it issued a clarification stating that Cambodia had sovereignty not only over the temple but also over the promontory on which it sits.
While this ruling was more definitive, it did not resolve all questions related to demarcation of the surrounding land, leaving room for ongoing friction.
ASEAN and international actors have occasionally stepped in to mediate tensions, but progress remains slow.
The challenge lies in reconciling historical claims with modern political boundaries, a task complicated by decades of shifting maps, colonial legacies, and unresolved treaties.
