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Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia over the 900-year-old Preah Vihear Shiva temple have once again escalated into a near-war situation. Both countries are accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.
900-Year-Old Shiva Temple Sparks Fresh Tensions
New Delhi: Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have once again erupted into violent clashes. On Monday morning, a Thai soldier was killed and two others wounded after an alleged attack by Cambodia on the Thai border. In response, Thailand launched air strikes near the Cambodian border. Both countries are accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. Notably, a ceasefire had been brokered in October with the mediation of US President Donald Trump.
The 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, located on the Dangrek Mountains, is the root cause of the dispute. This 11th-century Shiva temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but a long-standing conflict exists between the two countries over the surrounding land.
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The dispute originated with a French map created in 1907, which depicted the temple as being in Cambodia. At the time, Thailand did not object, but later claimed that the map contradicted the 1904 treaty, which stipulated that the border should be determined based on the watershed line—which would place the temple in Thailand.
In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) recognized Cambodia's sovereignty over the temple and ordered Thailand to withdraw its troops. The ruling faced strong opposition in Thailand. However, the court did not clarify the ownership of the 4.6 square kilometer area surrounding the temple, leaving the dispute unresolved.
Tensions escalated again in 2008 after Cambodia successfully had the temple declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This led to serious fighting between the two countries between 2008 and 2011, involving mortar and rocket fire, resulting in numerous deaths and thousands of displaced people.
In 2013, the ICJ reaffirmed that the temple and its surrounding area belonged to Cambodia. However, Thailand rejected any further international intervention.
In Cambodia, the Preah Vihear temple is considered a source of pride for Khmer civilization. It symbolizes their spiritual heritage.
In Thailand, nationalist groups claim the area as their historical territory and consider Cambodia's claim to the temple "unjust."
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The border dispute has also triggered a political crisis in Thailand. A recently leaked 17-minute phone call between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen further inflamed the dispute.
Comments about the military, the use of the term "Uncle," and other sensitive discussions in the call sparked fierce protests in Thailand.
This dispute led to the collapse of the governing coalition, and Paetongtarn was removed from the prime minister's office on August 29.
Following air strikes and border violence, the situation remains highly volatile. Both countries say they do not want war, but neither is willing to relinquish its claim to the temple and the border area.
Therefore, experts believe that the Preah Vihear dispute could take a more serious turn in the coming months.
