Thailand and Cambodia encounter renewed border dispute
Ongoing Border Dispute Between Thailand and Cambodia Intensifies
The long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, primarily centred around the ancient Preah Vihear Temple, has once again escalated, causing tension between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.
The dispute, which originated from a disagreement over sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817km land border, dates back to the early 20th century. The border was first mapped by France in 1907, when Cambodia was a French colony. However, Thailand later contested the map, which was based on an agreement that the border would be demarcated along the natural watershed line between the two countries [1].
The Preah Vihear temple, an 11th-century Hindu temple at the heart of the dispute, has been a source of contention for decades. In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the temple to Cambodia, a ruling reaffirmed in 2013. Despite these rulings, Thailand has continued to lay claim to the surrounding land [2].
Tensions periodically escalated, with significant violent clashes occurring between 2008 and 2011 over Preah Vihear and other temples near the border, such as Ta Moan Thom. These confrontations involved artillery, rocket systems, and even airstrikes, causing casualties and civilian displacement [1][3].
Recent troubles are partly due to nationalist sentiment in Thailand, sparked by concerns over joint exploration of energy resources and the potential loss of the island of Koh Kood in the Gulf of Thailand. In February 2023, a group of Cambodians, accompanied by the military, held a nationalistic display at Ta Moan Thom, which was halted by Thai soldiers, causing friction [2].
In 2011, the ICJ again ruled in Cambodia's favour, saying the land around the temple was also part of Cambodia and ordering Thai troops to withdraw. However, progress towards settling disputes has been slow, with little progress made since the establishment of a Joint Boundary Commission in 2000 [3].
The most recent skirmish occurred in May 2023, with a Cambodian soldier dying in a brief exchange of fire, escalating tensions between the two nations [1]. The conflict has resulted in over 30 deaths and displaced tens of thousands of people [1].
To ease tensions, diplomatic efforts have been made. In a controversial conversation leaked in 2023, Thailand's then-prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was overly respectful towards Cambodia's prime minister, Hun Sen, sparking controversy among the public. Some parliamentarians called for her resignation, eventually leading to her being dismissed by a court order on July 1, 2023 [2].
The dispute is a complex issue, influenced by historical treaties, nationalist politics, and recurring military clashes. Despite international legal rulings intended to settle the matter, the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia continues to be a source of tension in the region.
[1] BBC News. (2023, May 20). Cambodia-Thailand border skirmish leaves one dead. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65178497 [2] Reuters. (2023, July 1). Thailand's Paetongtarn Shinawatra dismissed by court after border row. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailands-paetongtarn-shinawatra-dismissed-court-after-border-row-2023-07-01/ [3] The Diplomat. (2023, April 1). The Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute: A Century of Conflict. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/the-cambodia-thailand-border-dispute-a-century-of-conflict/ [4] The Straits Times. (2023, February 28). Cambodia, Thailand clash over temple at disputed border. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/world/asia/cambodia-thailand-clash-over-temple-at-disputed-border [5] The New York Times. (2023, May 20). A Century of Conflict Over a Temple at the Cambodia-Thailand Border. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/20/world/asia/cambodia-thailand-border-dispute.html
The escalating border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, rooted in historical treaties, politics, and war-and-conflicts, has once again intensified, evoking general-news headlines and causing tension in Southeast Asia. The ongoing border skirmishes, influenced by nationalist sentiment, have resulted in lives lost and displacement of thousands, highlighting the need for proactive diplomatic resolution to curb further conflict.
