Confirmation: Did Cambodia militarily utilize its temple bordering nations as a base of operations?
Tensions Persist as Ancient Temples Remain Military Flashpoints in Thai-Cambodian Border Dispute
As of mid-2025, ancient temples like Prasat Ta Krabay (also known as Prasat Ta Khwai) in the Thai-Cambodian border region continue to be points of military tension and dispute. Both countries maintain military presence near these sites, including their use as strategic military positions or bases.
The Prasat Ta Krabay temple, along with other Khmer temples such as Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear, lies within the contested border area in the Emerald Triangle region where Thailand and Cambodia claim ownership. Despite International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings affirming Cambodian sovereignty over Preah Vihear and surrounding areas, including some temple sites, Thailand has historically disputed this and maintained troops near these temples.
The military presence at these temple sites stems from both countries’ claims of cultural heritage and strategic territorial control. The temples are not only valuable politically and culturally but also hold military strategic importance because of their elevated terrain along the mountainous border, making them natural military vantage points. The hostilities have included skirmishes, landmine incidents, and troop deployments around these temples, underscoring their dual role as cultural landmarks and military bases.
Recent reports highlight that these temples have effectively become militarized flashpoints, where armed forces are deployed to assert control. This development has contributed to the border conflict intensifying in 2025.
The use of ancient temples as military bases risks losing their protected status, especially for a UNESCO World Heritage Site like Preah Vihear. This is a direct violation of the principles under which it was listed, as international humanitarian law protects cultural property and prohibits its use for military purposes. The 1972 UNESCO World Heritage convention aims to protect natural and cultural heritage of "outstanding universal value." The transformation of such sites into militarized zones clearly contravenes this.
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia in the Emerald Triangle region has resulted in significant violence and skirmishes in 2025, reflecting both strategic and nationalist tensions. As of now, no reports indicate any recent demilitarization or resolution regarding these temples’ use as military bases, and the deployment continues amid heightened conflict.
The ancient temple of Ta Muan Thom is also at the center of the unrest in the Emerald Triangle region. The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia in this region has been ongoing since the 20th century, with several temples highly valued and claimed by both countries, causing disputes.
In summary, Prasat Ta Krabay/Prasat Ta Khwai is currently one of several ancient border temples used by both Thai and Cambodian armed forces for military positioning within the ongoing border dispute. The site is a militarized flashpoint with soldiers stationed nearby despite ICJ rulings favoring Cambodia. The border dispute, including these temples, has escalated into significant violence and skirmishes in 2025, reflecting both strategic and nationalist tensions.
- In the midst of the ongoing border conflict, news of significant violence and skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia in 2025 have surface regarding the disputed temples like Prasat Ta Krabay/Prasat Ta Khwai.
- Stuck at the heart of the border dispute in the Emerald Triangle region, the ancient temples, such as Ta Muan Thom, serve as focal points for international, general-news coverage as well as crime-and-justice reports.
- Amid the military tensions, the media continue to highlight the escalating war-and-conflicts in Asia, with reports indicating that the use of the temples as military bases is a violation of international humanitarian law and cultural protection principles.
- In spite of the ICJ rulings that affirm Cambodia's sovereignty, the modern-day political conflicts persist, as both countries insist on retaining troops near disputed temples and other strategic territories.
- This militarization of historic sites like Preah Vihear has raised concerns in the world of politics and international diplomacy, as peace and cultural preservation balance delicately amid the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border conflict.
