Why Thailand and Cambodia are fighting over an 11th-century Hindu temple

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have once again turned violent, with fighter jets, landmines, and diplomatic expulsions marking the worst escalation in years. At the centre of the dispute is the 11th-century Preah Vihear Hindu temple, located near their shared border.

The border clashes on Thursday led to at least nine civilian deaths and over a dozen injuries. Explosions hit a petrol station in Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province, killing several Thai civilians. In response, Thai jets launched airstrikes on Cambodian military positions near the disputed temple. Cambodia accused Thailand of bombing nearby roads. Skirmishes were reported in six different areas along the border.

The violence follows weeks of growing tension. In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed, and in July, two Thai soldiers were badly injured in landmine blasts. Diplomatic relations quickly worsened, both countries expelled each other’s ambassadors and recalled their envoys, blaming one another for aggression and border violations.

Preah Vihear: Sacred Temple or Political Faultline?

The Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits atop the Dangrek mountain range. It's an impressive piece of Khmer architecture, but also a source of national pride and dispute.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia, based on a 1907 French-drawn map. Thailand disagreed with the decision, arguing the map was not properly accepted. Still, the court decided Thailand had accepted the border and ordered it to withdraw troops and return any items taken from the temple.

However, Thailand still claims that a 4.6 sq km area surrounding the temple is unresolved. In 2008, tensions rose again when Cambodia registered the temple as a World Heritage Site. Protests in Thailand followed, leading to deadly clashes in 2011, which left 15 people dead. In 2013, the ICJ confirmed the surrounding land also belongs to Cambodia, a decision many in Thailand still reject.

An Old Dispute with Colonial Roots

This dispute goes back to the days of the Khmer Empire, which ruled much of present-day Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia between the 14th and 15th centuries. As the Khmer Empire declined, Thai and Vietnamese kingdoms took control of Khmer lands.

In the late 1800s, Cambodia became a French colony. France forced Thailand (then called Siam) to give up territories, including the provinces of Battambang and Siem Reap, through a series of treaties. The 1907 map, drawn by the French, became the foundation of the current border, and the ongoing dispute.

The map was based on a watershed line, which was not clearly marked. While Cambodia believes the ICJ ruling is final, Thailand argues parts of the border are still unclear. A Joint Border Commission was created in 2000, but little progress has been made since.

Politics and Nationalism Make Things Worse

Modern politics have only made the situation more dangerous. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office after a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen, in which she referred to the Thai army as “the opposite side.” This caused outrage in Thailand, with lawmakers accusing her of betraying national interests.

In Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Manet, son of Hun Sen, responded to the recent clashes by saying Cambodia wants peace but will defend itself against “armed aggression.”

Both countries have now moved troops to the border and issued strong warnings. Thailand has said it will take “intensified self-defence measures” if attacks continue. Cambodia claims it only acted in response to Thai drones and military attacks.

A Fragile Border and Flammable Provocations

Even small incidents have sparked big reactions. In February, Cambodian civilians, escorted by soldiers, sang their national anthem at another disputed temple, Ta Moan Thom. Thai troops quickly intervened. Thai politicians have also raised concerns about joint energy projects, fearing they could lead to loss of territory, including the island of Koh Kood.

Cambodia has since banned Thai fruit, stopped Thai media broadcasts, and evacuated embassy staff.

Can Talks Stop the Fighting?

Despite everything, both sides have agreed to talk. After a clash on 28 May, Thailand and Cambodia said they would meet through the Joint Border Commission. But with troops still in position and tensions running high, the situation remains fragile.

The Preah Vihear temple represents more than just ancient history. It’s a symbol of colonial legacy, national pride, and unresolved border disputes, and today, it sits at the heart of a dangerous and complex conflict.

Inputs from TOI