Monks have been evicted from a Cambodian temple at the centre of a long-running border dispute with Thailand, escalating tensions that have simmered for over a century. The eviction follows renewed clashes in the summer of 2025, with peace efforts yielding mixed results.
The dispute, rooted in colonial-era maps drawn by French authorities, has fuelled nationalist sentiment on both sides. Historians describe the relationship as a 'sibling rivalry', with competing claims to ancient Khmer stone temples in the border region. Three temples — Preah Vihear, Prasat Ta Moan Thom (Ta Muen Thom in Khmer), and Prasat Ta Khwai (Prasat Ta Krabey) — lie along the disputed Dangrek escarpment.
Preah Vihear, an 11th-century Hindu temple predating Angkor Wat, has been the focal point. The 1907 Annex I map, produced by France, placed the temple on the Cambodian side, contradicting the treaty's instruction that the border follow the natural watershed. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but did not clarify ownership of the surrounding area.
Thailand argues the border should follow the watershed line, which would place Preah Vihear and nearby territory on its side. The eviction of monks from the temple compound has drawn international attention, with both sides accusing each other of aggression. The conflict continues to disrupt local communities and threatens regional stability.
