The recent conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, escalating in July 2025, is one of several that get overshadowed by wars going on elsewhere. The escalation began in May 2025, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border skirmish, followed by retaliatory actions like border closures and diplomatic expulsions. On July 23, 2025, a landmine explosion injured five Thai soldiers, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of laying new mines, a claim Cambodia denied, citing legacy ordnance from 20th-century conflicts. This incident, combined with alleged drone surveillance by Cambodia near Ta Muen Thom, sparked heavy clashes on July 24, involving gunfire, artillery, and Thai F-16 airstrikes. Political instability in Thailand, including the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on July 1, 2025, after a leaked call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen, has amplified domestic pressure to take a hardline stance.
The July 2025 clashes have killed at least 19 people in Thailand (mostly civilians) and 13 in Cambodia, with over 130,000 Thais and 20,000 Cambodians evacuated. The UN Security Council met on July 25, 2025, at Cambodia’s request, but Thailand prefers bilateral talks via the Joint Boundary Commission. China, the U.S., and ASEAN have called for de-escalation, with Malaysia proposing a ceasefire. Cambodia reported “significant damage” to Preah Vihear from Thai airstrikes, raising concerns about cultural heritage.
Like every conflict this one has all the ingredients like historical border disputes, nationalist sentiments, and strategic interests. But there is another factor the ancient Hindu temples which are the focal points of this conflict. But the temple dispute is linked to several other underlying causes of the conflict. For instance, the century-old border dispute, made worse by nationalist fervour and recent political dynamics. Let us examine these factors.
Historical Border Ambiguities
In the 19th and 20th centuries France controlled much of the Indo-China region like Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Thailand was an independent Kingdom of Siam - its original name. The dispute originates from the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty, when France, as the colonial power over Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Siam (modern Thailand) delineated their 817-km border. A 1907 French-drawn map placed key temples, like Preah Vihear, in Cambodian territory, based on a watershed line in the Dangrek Mountains. Thailand later contested this map, arguing it was inaccurate due to inconsistencies with natural geography and modern cartographic methods.
The lack of clear demarcation in some border areas, including around Prasat Ta Muen Thom, has led to overlapping territorial claims, fuelling periodic tensions.
Nationalist Sentiments
Both nations harbour strong nationalist narratives tied to their historical empires—Thailand’s Siamese legacy and Cambodia’s Khmer Empire. Temples like Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom are potent symbols of cultural heritage, intensifying disputes over sovereignty.
In Thailand, irredentist hopes of reclaiming “lost territories” (e.g., Preah Vihear) persist among nationalists, while Cambodia uses these sites to assert its historical dominance. Incidents like Cambodian soldiers singing their national anthem at Ta Muen Thom in February 2025 provoked Thai responses, escalating tensions.
Strategic and Political Factors
Beyond temples, the conflict reflects strategic interests. The border region, including the Emerald Triangle (where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet), is geopolitically sensitive. Control over these areas can influence regional dominance and resource access.
Cambodia’s alignment with China, a major trading partner and investor, contrasts with Thailand’s U.S. security treaty alliance, adding a geopolitical layer. China’s call for peace talks and criticism of U.S. tariffs on both nations suggest it may seek to mediate, potentially increasing its regional influence.
Domestic politics also play a role. Cambodia’s Hun Sen, despite stepping down, uses nationalist rhetoric to bolster his son Hun Manet’s leadership, while Thailand’s shaky coalition government faces pressure to appear strong amid political turmoil.
Is It Only About the Temples or Something More Strategic?
While the Hindu temples—Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear—are central flashpoints, the conflict is not solely about them. Both governments resort to Nationalist rhetoric to distract public attention from internal issues. These issues involve Thailand’s political instability and Cambodia’s economic challenges under looming U.S. tariffs.
Of course, the temples embody national pride and historical claims, but the broader dispute involves territorial control, the undemarcated border areas, especially around Ta Muen Thom, are strategically located along the Dangrek Mountains, a natural frontier. The border region, part of an ancient Khmer highway linking Angkor to Phimai, remains strategically relevant for trade and connectivity. Control over these areas strengthens military and economic positioning. Another factor is geopolitical dynamics. Cambodia’s reliance on China, and Thailand’s alliance with the U.S. create a proxy for great-power competition. The conflict could shift regional influence, with China potentially gaining leverage if it mediates successfully.
Thus, while the temples are catalysts, the conflict is driven by a mix of historical grievances, territorial ambitions, and strategic manoeuvring.
History of the Hindu Temples
Both temples were built by the Khmer Empire, reflecting its Hindu cultural influence, with intricate architecture and Sanskrit inscriptions showcasing Indian cultural reach. The 1907 map, drawn under French colonial rule, became a reference for Cambodia’s claims, but Thailand argues it deviates from natural boundaries like the watershed line. The temples’ strategic locations along ancient trade routes and their cultural significance have made them enduring symbols of national identity, complicating bilateral resolutions.
These Hindu temples are located in that part of Southeast Asia which is overwhelmingly Buddhist. So, why are these at the heart of the dispute? Perhaps their history will tell us something.
Prasat Ta Muen Thom
Ta Muen Thom is a Khmer Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built in the 11th century under King Udayadityavarman II. It features a naturally formed Shivling in its sanctum. Unlike most Khmer temples facing east, its southward orientation is unique.
The temple is situated in the Dangrek Mountains, straddling Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province and Thailand’s Surin province. It lies on a strategic pass along an ancient Khmer highway linking Angkor (Cambodia) to Phimai (Thailand). Its position in a poorly demarcated border zone makes it a flashpoint. The temple’s ownership has been contested due to its accessibility from both sides and ambiguous border demarcation. In February 2025, Cambodian soldiers singing their national anthem at the site provoked Thai troops, escalating tensions.
Prasat Preah Vihear:
Prasat Preah Vihear is a 900-year-old Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built between the 9th and 11th centuries. Perched on a 525-meter cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, its architectural grandeur and UNESCO World Heritage status that was granted in 2008 make it a cultural icon. Located in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province, near the Thai border, it was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962, based on the 1907 French map. The surrounding land remains disputed, as the ICJ did not rule on it. Thailand’s claim to the surrounding area led to clashes. The clashes in 2008–2011 caught the world’s attention because these happened after UNESCO’s listing . The 2013 ICJ ruling reaffirmed Cambodia’s control over the temple and its immediate vicinity but left broader border issues unresolved.
Conclusion
The Thailand-Cambodia conflict of 2025 is not merely about Hindu temples but is deeply rooted in historical border ambiguities, nationalist fervour, and strategic interests. The temples—Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear—are potent symbols of cultural heritage, built by the Khmer Empire and contested due to their location in undemarcated border zones. While recent triggers like landmines and drone incursions sparked the violence, the underlying causes include geopolitical rivalries, domestic political pressures, and unresolved colonial legacies. A lasting resolution would require bilateral negotiations, possibly with ASEAN or Chinese mediation, to address both territorial and cultural claims while preserving these historic sites.
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