Reason Behind Cambodia and Thailand Border Tension – Detailed Explanation

A decades-old border feud between Cambodia and Thailand has once again grabbed headlines. It’s not new.

It’s deep-rooted, tangled in history, pride, and a patch of sacred land that both nations claim as their own. The dispute, mostly quiet over recent years, has resurfaced with renewed concern among locals and the international community.

Reason for Cambodia and Thailand’s Border Tensions

The Cambodia-Thailand border tension stems from a 4.6 km² disputed land around Preah Vihear Temple with both nations claiming ownership despite ICJ ruling.

While the temple itself was awarded to Cambodia in 1962, the land around it—about 4.6 square kilometres—was never clearly defined.

Thailand insists it’s theirs. Cambodia argues it’s all part of the temple site. This unresolved border zone remains the key flashpoint, reigniting tensions time and again.

History Behind Cambodia and Thailand’s Border Tensions

To understand the tensions today, we have to roll back to the colonial era.

• In the 1900s, Cambodia was under French rule.
• Thailand (then Siam) was never colonised, but often made treaties with colonial powers.
• In 1907, France and Siam signed a treaty, which handed the Preah Vihear Temple area to Cambodia.
• The temple, a 900-year-old Hindu structure dedicated to Lord Shiva, sits atop a cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, right on the border.

For decades, the dispute simmered beneath the surface. Thailand claimed that the temple was within its territory, while Cambodia cited the old French maps which placed it firmly within Cambodian borders.

The Turning Point: 1962 ICJ Ruling

In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the Preah Vihear Temple belonged to Cambodia. Thailand reluctantly accepted the decision but claimed that the surrounding 4.6 square km of land had not been part of the ruling.

This grey area kept the flame alive. “The temple is not just a monument. It’s a matter of national pride for both countries,” says a Cambodian official.

Tensions Rise Again: 2008-2011

Things escalated in 2008 when Cambodia applied to list the Preah Vihear Temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thailand opposed it, fearing the recognition would strengthen Cambodia’s claim over the disputed land nearby.

• In July 2008, UNESCO listed the site.
• Skirmishes followed. Troops from both sides clashed. Casualties were reported.
• In 2011, the worst of the violence unfolded. Heavy artillery, fatalities on both sides, and hundreds of villagers displaced.

The ASEAN region watched with worry.

Second ICJ Verdict – 2013 Clarification

In 2013, Cambodia returned to the ICJ asking for a clarification of the 1962 ruling. The court stated that Cambodia has sovereignty over the whole promontory, meaning Thailand must withdraw its forces from the area surrounding the temple.

This was meant to bring peace. It didn’t fully succeed.

Why Is It Flaring Up Again?

In 2024, reports emerged of military build-up near the border. Though no shots have been fired, tensions are unmistakable. Local farmers have been warned not to approach certain areas. Accusations have been traded over troop movements.

Several reasons behind the fresh unrest:

• Nationalist sentiment: With elections nearing in Thailand, politicians are once again fuelling patriotic narratives.
• Economic stakes: The area is rich in natural resources and a growing tourist hub.
• Lack of clear border demarcation: Despite international rulings, the actual fencing and patrolling zones remain disputed.

“We don’t want war. But we will defend our land,” a Thai border guard was quoted as saying earlier this month.

How Locals Are Affected

Families living near the border live in fear. Tourism, once picking up in the temple region, has dwindled again. Schools have suspended classes in some border districts. Both governments are asking civilians to stay calm – easier said than done.

Diplomatic Efforts Ongoing

ASEAN has offered to mediate, but both countries insist it’s a bilateral issue.

• Cambodia has called for international observers.
• Thailand prefers a quiet military-to-military negotiation.

Peace talks are slow. Trust remains shaky. The Preah Vihear Temple may be a symbol of divine power, but on the ground, it’s a flashpoint of fragile peace.

Key Facts Recap: