Introduction
Two Southeast Asian countries—Thailand and Cambodia—are embroiled in a dispute that goes beyond mere territory or control; it touches on their historical, cultural, and religious identities. This conflict centers on the Preah Vihear temple, a magnificent 11th-century Hindu temple. Ownership and control over this temple and its surrounding area have triggered decades of tension, sometimes erupting into violent clashes.
Ancient History and Cultural Heritage
The Preah Vihear temple is a masterpiece of Hindu architecture. It was constructed between the 9th and 11th centuries during the era of the Khmer Empire, which extended from Kerala in India to Southeast Asia. The temple was mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva and is perched on a mountain ridge in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province, close to the Thai border. Historically, control over this strategic area has been contested by regional kingdoms.
Border Agreements – 19th and 20th Century Treaties
The present dispute fundamentally stems from border agreements made between France and Siam (modern-day Thailand) between 1904 and 1908. At that time, Cambodia was under French colonial rule. The 1904 treaty stipulated that the border would follow natural watershed lines, but maps drawn by the French in 1907 showed the Preah Vihear temple on Cambodian territory.
Initially, Thai officials either did not recognize or did not fully understand the implications of the map, or perhaps tacitly accepted it. Thailand officially protested in the 1930s, but by then, the situation had become more complex, and their claims were progressively dismissed by international courts in later years.
International Court of Justice Ruling
After the French colonial period ended in 1954, the Thai military occupied the temple, prompting Cambodia to appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In 1962, the ICJ ruled by majority that the temple belonged to Cambodia. This decision was largely based on the 1908 map and was deemed final.
However, the court did not clearly demarcate the surrounding 4.6 square kilometres near the temple, which left room for continued contention by both countries.
Nationalism and Political Dynamics
For both nations, the Preah Vihear temple has been a sensitive and symbolic issue tied to national identity. For Cambodia, its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 reinforced its cultural and historical claims.
In Thailand, the temple’s status has frequently surfaced amid government changes, political struggles, and nationalist movements. Between 2008 and 2011, tensions escalated near the border, leading to armed clashes, casualty of soldiers and civilians, and damage to the temple itself at times.
How the Conflict Became a Battlefield
In 2008, Cambodia’s successful UNESCO listing for Preah Vihear heightened tensions. Thailand claimed parts of the surrounding land as originally belonging to it, and both countries deployed troops to assert control, resulting in skirmishes and fatalities.
The situation worsened in 2011, with artillery fire around the temple area and mutual accusations. UNESCO conducted investigations and found that mortar and stone projectiles caused some damage to the temple.
International Responsibility and Current Situation
In 2013, the ICJ reaffirmed that the temple and the promontory on which it sits belong to Cambodia and urged Thailand to withdraw military personnel and police from the area. However, ownership of other nearby areas, including the Phnom Trap hill, remains unclear.
Even in 2025, the dispute periodically flares up, fuelled by political, economic, and strategic considerations. The intertwining of land claims, security concerns, economic prospects, and diplomatic relations continues to complicate resolution efforts.
Cultural Significance and Religious History
Preah Vihear is not merely a temple but a confluence of Khmer and Thai cultural legacies spanning millennia. It houses many statues, inscriptions, and unparalleled architectural elements. Both countries view it as a profound expression of their civilization, which imbues the conflict with deep emotional resonance.
Political Ambitions and Global Alignment
The dispute is influenced not only by domestic politics but also by international diplomacy, economic interests, heritage management, and regional organizations like ASEAN.
Although ASEAN has attempted mediation, Thailand often prefers bilateral negotiations. The border dispute directly affects security, trade, migration, and social issues in the border region.
Recent Clashes and Potential Outcomes
In recent years, surveillance by drones, troop movements, and occasional skirmishes have persisted. Both countries have expressed willingness for dialogue, but the complex historical baggage and competing nationalist sentiments make a lasting solution elusive.