Tensions close to India, that is, on the borders of Thailand and Cambodia, have now escalated into deadly violence. The dispute, marked by gunfire, airstrikes, and diplomatic expulsions, dates back to an 11th-century dispute over the Preah Vihear temple and surrounding land. 

Because of the ongoing dispute, several Thai civilians were killed in Si Sa Ket province, while on the Cambodian side, bombing is constant. Both nations are affected. 

What is behind this age-old rivalry between two nations lying adjacent to each other? It is the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, atop the Dangrek mountain range, a remnant of the stunning architecture of the Khmers, the dominant ethnic group in Cambodia. 

History Behind The Temple

In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple lies within Cambodian territory. Thailand contested the validity of this order. Now, Thailand claims the land surrounding the temple, which is 4.6 km². This land dispute remains unresolved as tensions escalated again in 2008, after Cambodia succeeded in registering the temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To this, the Thai nationalists objected, leading to a deadly exchange between the two countries in 2011 that killed at least 15 people. 

In 2013, the International Court of Justice declared that the surrounding land was also Cambodian. And the dispute went on. Thai people claim that the map drawn by the French colonisers was vague and led to the confusion. 

Beyond historical importance, the present tension has also gained political attention. Both countries have moved troops to the border and have issued warnings to each other. The temple continues to be a symbol of wounded national pride and nationalism for both nations. 

But there is hope. Despite rising tension, both countries have occasionally reaffirmed their commitment to solve the problem through dialogue. 

The world does not need another war.