In News:

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have sharply escalated in recent months, marked by armed clashes, airstrikes, and diplomatic fallout, all centering around the Preah Vihear Temple—a centuries-old Hindu monument of immense cultural and geopolitical significance.

About Preah Vihear Temple

• Location: Preah Vihear Province, northern Cambodia, atop a cliff in the Dangrek Mountain range, near the Cambodia–Thailand border.
• Religious Affiliation: Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Historical Background:
  • Constructed during the Khmer Empire, primarily in the 11th and 12th centuries.
  • Key patrons: King Suryavarman I (1002–1050) and King Suryavarman II (1113–1150).
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Inscribed in 2008 for its exceptional architectural and historical value.

Architectural Features

• Exemplifies Khmer temple architecture with a linear arrangement of sanctuaries linked by pavements and staircases over an 800-metre-long axis.
• Contains over five gopuras (monumental gateways) connected by a raised path and tiered platforms.
• Mixture of stone and wooden roofing, though many structures are partially in ruins.

Territorial Dispute Overview

• Historical Basis:
  • Dispute stems from differing interpretations of a 1907 French map, which placed the temple inside Cambodian territory.
  • Thailand disputes the map, arguing lack of formal acceptance.
• International Court of Justice (ICJ) Rulings:
  • 1962: ICJ ruled the temple belongs to Cambodia, citing Thailand’s implicit acceptance of the 1907 map.
  • Thailand was ordered to withdraw troops and return artifacts taken since 1954.
  • 2013 (Reaffirmation): ICJ clarified that surrounding areas—particularly a 4.6 sq. km. disputed zone—also belong to Cambodia.

Major Flashpoints in the Conflict

• 2008: Cambodia registers Preah Vihear as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, triggering nationalist backlash in Thailand.
• 2008–2011: Border skirmishes escalate, culminating in a 2011 clash that killed at least 15 people.
• 2025 Escalation:
  • Renewed violence erupted in July 2025, after a series of provocations:
    • May 2025: Cambodian soldier killed.
    • July 2025: Two Thai soldiers injured in landmine blasts.
    • July 24, 2025: Armed conflict intensifies—Thai airstrikes target Cambodian positions near the temple.
    • Casualties: At least 9 civilians killed, 14 injured in Thai provinces bordering Cambodia.
  • Both nations expelled ambassadors and blamed each other for violations of sovereignty.

Significance of the Dispute

• Cultural: Preah Vihear is a sacred site and national symbol for both nations.
• Strategic: Its location atop a cliff offers military advantage and control over surrounding terrain.
• Diplomatic: The temple remains a fault line in bilateral ties, with unresolved territorial claims despite multiple ICJ verdicts.