Thai - Cambodia Conflict Temple, Territory, Tensions: The Roots of the Thailand-Cambodia Border Fight

[webfact]

Temple, Territory, Tensions: The Roots of the Thailand-Cambodia Border Fight

 

On Friday, July 25, 2025, Cambodia fired artillery shells in Sisaket province, Thailand, causing damage to a convenience store at a gas station. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

Tensions Explode Across the Border

 

Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have resulted in a deadly standoff, killing at least 16 and displacing tens of thousands. Artillery fire marks the worst fighting in over a decade, as disputes over ancient temples fuel ongoing hostilities, leaving both countries on high alert.

 

Current Situation: A Nation on Edge

 

Heavy fighting erupted early Thursday near a contested ancient temple, quickly spreading along the disputed frontier. Thailand retaliated by withdrawing its ambassador, expelling Cambodia’s envoy, and deploying F-16 fighter jets, while Cambodia responded with truck-mounted rocket launchers. The escalating violence has led to the evacuation of approximately 130,000 Thais and 12,000 Cambodian families.

 

Roots of Dispute: A Century-Old Rivalry

 

The conflict dates back to 1907, when the border was first mapped by France during its colonial rule over Cambodia. A contentious map based on a natural watershed line sparked disagreements. Despite the formation of a Joint Boundary Commission in 2000, progress has stalled, with unresolved claims, particularly involving historical sites, heightening tensions.

 

Historical Flashpoints: Preah Vihear Temple

 

A significant flashpoint is the Preah Vihear temple, a historic Hindu site claimed by both nations. In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia, but surrounding land disputes persisted. Tensions peaked in 2008 when Cambodia proposed the temple for UNESCO World Heritage status, resulting in recurrent military clashes and casualties.

 

Recent Triggers: National Pride and Energy Disputes

 

Despite close governmental ties, nationalist fervour flared in Thailand after debates over joint energy resource explorations with Cambodia. In February, tensions worsened when Cambodians sang their anthem at a contested temple, prompting a military response from Thai soldiers.

 

Further complications arose when a conversation between Thailand's then-premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s Hun Sen was leaked, leading to political backlash and her suspension.

 

Resolving the Crisis: Diplomatic Moves and Military Mobilisation

 

In the wake of recent conflicts, both countries committed to seeking dialogue via their joint border commission. However, Cambodia plans to escalate unresolved issues to the International Court of Justice, a move Thailand opposes in favour of bilateral resolution.

 

Following Thursday’s clashes, Cambodia appealed to the United Nations Security Council to address what it terms as Thai aggression, while Thailand insists negotiations can only proceed if Cambodia halts its military actions, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

The fragile peace along the Thailand-Cambodia border remains in jeopardy as both nations struggle to balance territorial sovereignty with diplomatic compromise.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-26

 

 

[ikke1959]

Thai Buddhism?? fighting for a temple???

[thaipo7]

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thai Buddhism?? fighting for a temple???

Hindu Temple??

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Roots of Dispute: A Century-Old Rivalry

Face, pride, stubbornness, arrogance etc etc

[Seagull Sam]

So there we have the nub of the issue - colonialism. The French draw an arbitrary border in 1907 and the nations are fighting still.

The British drew an arbitrary line through Punjab in 1948 and we have two nuclear armed nations snarling at each other.

The Balfour Declaration of 1918 didn't actually draw any lines and now we have mass starvation and bombing of already long oppressed people.

All stand for your relevant national anthems please.

[lordgrinz]

7 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

Hindu Temple??

 

Wait until they start fighting over Koh Kut island and the gas and oil rights in the Gulf of Thailand.

[lordgrinz]

8 minutes ago, Seagull Sam said:

So there we have the nub of the issue - colonialism. The French draw an arbitrary border in 1907 and the nations are fighting still.

The British drew an arbitrary line through Punjab in 1948 and we have two nuclear armed nations snarling at each other.

The Balfour Declaration of 1918 didn't actually draw any lines and now we have mass starvation and bombing of already long oppressed people.

All stand for your relevant national anthems please.

 

Exactly, which is why the colonizers should keep their noses out of it. Let Thailand and Cambodia figure it out, if someone has to get their ass kicked to put and end to this, then so be it!

[Sydebolle]

The French demarcation of 1906 was presented to the court of Siam and Cambodia; both accepted and that dealt with that issue. In 1929 a Royal Princess of the Thai court wanted to visit a Khmer temple (Khao Phra Viharn) and requested permission to do so with the Cambodia Crown. 
Needless to say that she was of course granted the placet. Only once UNESCO got involved the whole thing escalated at the ICJ in the early 60s when the Thais started to refuse acceptances which had been sealed more than half a century before. 

Nowadays it is a token of excuse to explain Thailands bickering on the political stage; 2011 it was the yellow shirts against the red shirts and this time it is Pheu Thai (i.e. former red shirts) against Hun Sen as both leaders, Thaksin and Hun Sen think they are smarter than their opponent. 

Do you think that any Thai is seriously interested in the rugged jungle area of the Dong Rak mountains; nor do you think any Cambodian in Phnom Penh would really care? Both, Thailand and Cambodia were nowhere when those magnificent temple compounds with Hindu traces were built in the heydays of the Khmer Kingdom. Neither state existed so it is nothing but two naughty kids which need a proper smack to put the back into their pen!

Kindergarten warfare explained! 

[ikke1959]

2 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

The French demarcation of 1906 was presented to the court of Siam and Cambodia; both accepted and that dealt with that issue. In 1929 a Royal Princess of the Thai court wanted to visit a Khmer temple (Khao Phra Viharn) and requested permission to do so with the Cambodia Crown. 
Needless to say that she was of course granted the placet. Only once UNESCO got involved the whole thing escalated at the ICJ in the early 60s when the Thais started to refuse acceptances which had been sealed more than half a century before. 

Nowadays it is a token of excuse to explain Thailands bickering on the political stage; 2011 it was the yellow shirts against the red shirts and this time it is Pheu Thai (i.e. former red shirts) against Hun Sen as both leaders, Thaksin and Hun Sen think they are smarter than their opponent. 

Do you think that any Thai is seriously interested in the rugged jungle area of the Dong Rak mountains; nor do you think any Cambodian in Phnom Penh would really care? Both, Thailand and Cambodia were nowhere when those magnificent temple compounds with Hindu traces were built in the heydays of the Khmer Kingdom. Neither state existed so it is nothing but two naughty kids which need a proper smack to put the back into their pen!

Kindergarten warfare explained! 

and with kids take away the toy they fighting for ... so destroy the temple and nobody can claim it anymore and so no more dispute