Famous Preah Vihear Temple Dispute

The most talked about dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is the Preah Vihear Temple, which is a magnificent 11th century Hindu temple. This temple is located on the border of both countries.

And both claim it as theirs. In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but the 4.6 square kilometer area around it is still a matter of dispute.

Tensions between the two countries escalated again when UNESCO declared Preah Vihear a World Heritage Site in 2008. Thailand claimed that its sovereignty was being affected by this decision. Between 2008 and 2011

Nationalistic sentiments in both countries also add to the tension. Some in Thailand consider Preah Vihear to be part of their cultural heritage, while Cambodia considers it a mark of its Khmer history.

Current Status

Since 2011, the situation has calmed down somewhat. Both countries pursued diplomatic routes and the ICJ reaffirmed in 2013 that the temple belongs to Cambodia. However, some parts of the border are still disputed.

When I read about this, I feel that this deep attachment to history and culture is both the strength and weakness of both countries. Monuments like Preah Vihear are not just structures of stones, but are a reflection of people’s emotions.