Thailand- Cambodia Dispute

Aaditya Deore

Thailand and Cambodia have long history of struggle due to religious and territorial dispute. Both the countries have many a times involved in direct and indirect clashes on the land and even in United Nation (UN).

Causes -:

  • Territorial dispute -: The territorial dispute between Cambodia and Thailand started with Franco-Siamese Treaty-1904 which demarcated border between Thailand and Cambodia. The Preah Vihear Temple which was marked under Cambodia’s territory was claimed by Thailand and Ta Prasat Ta Muen Thom which was marked under Thailand territory was claimed by Cambodia thus both the countries were disappointed by treaty.
    • Preah Vihear Temple Dispute- This Hindu temple is in Dangrek Mountains on the border of Cambodia & Thailand and was declared UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. Initially Cambodia has sovereign right over it and its surroundings but then Thailand claimed over it. In 1962 and then in 2013 International Court of Justice (UN) gave this to Cambodia but Thailand refused to accept it and it became the centre of dispute between both the countries.
    • Ta Prasat Ta Muen temple Dispute – It is in Dangrek Mountains between Thailand and Cambodia border which is a Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva and also a Mahayana Buddhist site which used to be Dharmshala for Buddhist Monks.

 

Recent Dispute and Clashes -:

  • On 28th may 2025 soldiers of both the countries had verbal fight over placing tents which turned to be real fight and on 7th June both the countries sent their army on border.
  • On 24th July fight escalated killing many soldiers and civilians followed by airstrikes and rockets.
  • Current Situation and Ceasefire Agreement -: After the mediation of US, China and Malaysia a Ceasefire Agreement took place on 28th July between Thailand (Acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai) and Cambodia (PM Hun Manet) in Malaysia.

 

References -:

  • https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/thailand-army-accuses-cambodia-of-breaking-truce/article69867801.ece
  • https://www.bhaskar.com/international/news/trump-said-resolving-thailand-cambodia-conflict-is-an-easy-task-135546727.html
  • https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/cambodia-thailand-temple-border-dispute-clashes-10147432/

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