Overview

Thailand and Cambodia have witnessed renewed military confrontations along parts of their shared land border. The clashes have involved artillery fire, rockets, drones, and limited air operations, leading to civilian displacement and military casualties on both sides. The dispute is closely linked to historical border ambiguities and contested heritage sites.

Nature of the Conflict

• The tension stems from an 817 km long land boundary that remains partially undemarcated.
• Both countries assert sovereignty over certain stretches of territory, particularly areas with strategic high ground, dense forests, and ancient temple complexes.
• The disagreement is not new and has periodically escalated into armed confrontations.

Historical Background

Colonial-Era Boundary Issues (1907)

• The modern border was first delineated during the French colonial administration of Cambodia in 1907.
• Thailand later challenged sections of this map, arguing that it inaccurately placed key geographical features and temples on the Cambodian side.

Preah Vihear Temple Dispute

• In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia.
• Thailand accepted the ruling on the temple itself but contested the surrounding land.
• In 2013, the ICJ reaffirmed Cambodia’s sovereignty over the immediate vicinity of the temple and asked Thailand to withdraw troops, though Thailand raised concerns over the ruling’s interpretation.

Past Armed Clashes

• Serious confrontations occurred between 2008 and 2011, involving artillery exchanges around Preah Vihear and nearby temple zones.
• These clashes resulted in military and civilian deaths and the displacement of thousands of people on both sides.

Key Areas Under Tension

Preah Vihear Region

• A hilltop UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbolically and strategically significant.
• Surrounding high ground remains a persistent flashpoint due to military and territorial advantages.

Mekong Basin (Preah Vihear Province)

• The Mekong River and nearby landmarks, such as the Preah Nimith Waterfall, add to the region’s geographic and economic importance.

Border Provinces of Thailand

• Surin, Buri Ram, Sa Kaeo, Sisaket, and Trat
• Reports include shelling, cross-border firing, and large-scale evacuation of civilians to temporary shelters.

Border Provinces of Cambodia

• Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pailin, and Koh Kong
• Civilian casualties, infrastructure damage, and internal displacement have been reported.

Conclusion

The Thailand–Cambodia border tension reflects how unresolved colonial-era boundaries and symbolic heritage sites can continue to fuel modern geopolitical conflicts. Despite judicial interventions by the ICJ, differing interpretations and strategic considerations have sustained mistrust. The recent escalation underscores the need for effective bilateral dialogue, clearer demarcation mechanisms, and regional stability frameworks, particularly within Southeast Asia’s security architecture.