Violence erupted once again between Thailand and Cambodia on Thursday. The clash, the worst in over a decade, has left 12 dead and dozens injured. The fighting began near the Ta Muen Thom temples, a Hindu shrine near Thailand’s Surin province. Both nations accuse each other of provoking the violence. Thailand escalated its threat level, closing all border checkpoints and evacuating 40,000 civilians from 86 villages.
The conflict revolves around a cluster of ancient Hindu temples. The Preah Vihear temple, a 900-year-old shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, sits atop a 525-meter cliff in Cambodia’s Dangrek Mountains. This temple is important not only to Cambodia but also to Thailand, located just 95 km away. Despite its smaller fame compared to Angkor Wat, Preah Vihear has been a center of tension for over 60 years.
The conflict traces back to colonial-era borders. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled in favor of Cambodia, granting it control over Preah Vihear. The court based its decision on a 1907 French map that placed the temple in Cambodia. Thailand accepted the map but later contested it, claiming it followed a natural watershed line. The ruling has fueled ongoing tensions over the years, with both countries continuing to stake territorial claims.
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The most recent violence has centered around the Ta Muen Thom temple. Located along the rugged Thai-Cambodian border, this 12th-century Shiva shrine has become a hotspot for clashes. In February, Cambodian soldiers reportedly sang their national anthem at the temple, provoking a standoff with Thai troops. Videos of this encounter went viral, highlighting the region’s ongoing disputes.
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