Clashes broke out again on Thursday between Thailand and Cambodia, near their shared border. This time, the fight happened close to Ta Muen Thom temple — a 12th-century Hindu shrine. It’s one of many old temples caught in the long Thailand-Cambodia conflict.
At least 12 people died. Dozens were injured. Around 40,000 Thai villagers had to leave their homes. It was the worst violence in over 10 years.
A Sacred Clifftop Shrine
At the heart of this dispute is the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It sits on top of a high cliff in Cambodia’s Dangrek mountains. Both Cambodians and Thais see it as sacred.
About 95 km west is Ta Muen Thom, another Shiva temple. It’s less famous but just as symbolic. These temples were built by the Khmer Empire. Back then, there were no clear national borders like today.
The Colonial Map Problem
So why are people fighting over ancient stones? The main issue is an old map drawn by the French in 1907. It put Preah Vihear inside Cambodia. Thailand accepted it at first. But later, they said it was a mistake.
In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in Cambodia’s favour. Thailand had to pull out troops and return items taken after 1954.
Again in 2013, the ICJ gave Cambodia full control of the temple and the land around it. But Thailand still disagrees with parts of the judgment. The result? Tension has never fully gone away.
What Triggered the Latest Clash
On Thursday, fighting started near the Ta Muen Thom temple, which lies in Thailand’s Surin Province. Thai officials say Cambodian drones flew too close to their camps. They tried to calm the situation, but by 8:20 am, the guns were out.
Cambodian forces, armed with RPGs, reportedly fired first. Thailand responded. Now, the border is on high alert. All crossings are shut. Villages are empty.
This is not the first time the Ta Muen temples caused trouble. In February, Cambodian soldiers sang their national anthem at the site. Thai troops saw it as provocation. A video of that moment went viral.
History Meets Politics
These temples are more than stone. They are symbols of pride, religion, and power. The colonial borders created by France in the early 1900s still haunt Southeast Asia. Modern maps, politics, and identity have turned ancient shrines into battlegrounds.
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