Conflict Between Cambodia and Thailand Over Ta Muen Thom Temple
The 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, is perched on a 525-metre cliff in Cambodia’s Dangrek mountains. Built under the Khmer Empire, it is a religious site for not just Cambodians, but also their Thai neighbours. Roughly 95 km to the west lies the Ta Muen Thom temple, a 12th-century Shiva shrine.
Recent Escalation
Although overshadowed by the popularity of Angkor Wat, this cluster of temples has been at the centre of conflict between Cambodia and Thailand for more than half a century.
Clashes erupted recently, leaving 12 dead, dozens wounded, and resulting in mass evacuations.
Details of the Conflict
The recent fighting near the Ta Muen Thom temple began when Cambodian troops deployed drones for aerial reconnaissance near Thai military positions. Thai forces claimed self-defence after Cambodian units equipped with RPGs provoked them.
Thailand escalated threat levels to “Level 4,” closing all border checkpoints and evacuating around 40,000 Thai civilians from 86 villages.
Historical Dispute
The conflict stems from a border demarcation controversy between Cambodia and Thailand, dating back to colonial times.
Despite an International Court of Justice ruling in favour of Cambodia in 1962, clashes and disagreements persist regarding sovereignty over the area.
Ta Muen Thom Temple
Situated in the Dangrek Mountains, Ta Muen Thom is a Khmer Hindu complex featuring unique architecture. It has been a recurring flashpoint in recent hostilities.
In 2013, the International Court of Justice granted Cambodia sovereignty over the temple and surrounding region, instructing Thailand to withdraw its forces.
The temple’s location, along with its historical significance, has contributed to ongoing tensions between the two nations.
Disputes over territorial boundaries, French colonial maps, and cultural importance have fueled the conflict over Ta Muen Thom and surrounding areas.
The listing of Preah Vihear as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008 further aggravated tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, leading to clashes and political repercussions.
The recent clashes near the Ta Muen Thom temple serve as a reminder of the unresolved border issues and historical disputes between Cambodia and Thailand.
For more information on the conflict, you can refer to official sources such as the International Court of Justice.
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