Context 

On December 8, 2025, Thailand announced airstrikes on Cambodian military targets along the border. The strikes were retaliation for the alleged killing of two Thai soldiers, which Cambodia denied, claiming Thailand acted unilaterally. This comes shortly after a peace deal in October 2025, brokered by Malaysia and supervised by US President Donald Trump.

Previous Clashes

• • July 2025: At least 48 people killed, thousands displaced during border skirmishes.
  • May 2025: Border clashes led to the death of one Cambodian soldier, escalating diplomatic tensions.
  • Thailand withdrew its ambassador from Cambodia; Cambodia expelled Thai diplomats.
  • Despite a ceasefire, landmine explosions in August 2025 kept tensions high.

About Border disputes:

• • The border dispute traces back to 1907 French colonial maps, which placed Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia, despite proximity to Thailand.
  • Historical treaties and occupation include:
    • 1867: Cambodia handed Preah Vihear to Siam.
    • 1904-1907: French colonial survey fixed the modern border.
    • 1941: Thailand temporarily occupied the temple during WWII; returned post-war.

International Court of Justice (ICJ) Rulings

1.       1962: ICJ ruled in favour of Cambodia, requiring Thai withdrawal and return of artefacts.

2.      2013: ICJ reaffirmed Cambodia’s sovereignty over the temple and immediate vicinity, clarifying Thai forces must withdraw.

3.      Demilitarised Zone: Established but never fully implemented, leaving room for recurrent skirmishes.

Preah Vihear Temple

• • Historical Significance:
    • Built during the 11th–12th centuries, Khmer Empire era.
    • Dedicated to Lord Shiva, 900-year-old architectural and religious site.
    • Symbolizes cultural heritage and national pride for both Thailand and Cambodia.
  • Geography:
    • Situated atop a 525-metre cliff in Cambodia’s Dangrek Mountains.
    • Nearby Ta Muen Thom temple in Thailand also part of historical and religious network.

Causes of the Dispute

1.       Colonial Cartography:

o    French-made maps created geo-boundaries alien to local politics, sowing long-term disputes.

2.      Nationalism:

o    Both countries claim cultural ownership, leveraging the temple issue for domestic political support.

3.      Historical Claims:

o    Siamese control and French protectorate arrangements led to ambiguous sovereignty over surrounding lands.

4.     Strategic & Religious Value:

o    Temples serve as symbols of national identity, amplifying tensions during border skirmishes.

Implications:

• • Regional Security: Ongoing border skirmishes threaten ASEAN stability and cross-border trade.
  • Colonial Legacies: Highlights challenge in resolving disputes stemming from Western-imposed boundaries in Southeast Asia.
  • Legal & Diplomatic Precedents: ICJ rulings show international law recognition, but practical enforcement remains weak.
  • Cultural Diplomacy: Temples like Preah Vihear remain central to national pride, heritage tourism, and bilateral relations.