🇹🇭🇰🇭 Thailand–Cambodia Border Conflict: A Forgotten Flashpoint

Thailand–Cambodia

Date: July 2025
For: UPSC GS2 | IR | Current Affairs | Prelims MCQs
By: Team UPSC Universe Thailand–Cambodia

Why It Matters?

When we think of border disputes, India–China or Israel–Palestine often dominate the narrative. But Southeast Asia, too, has its fair share of unresolved tensions — and one of the most persistent among them is the Thailand–Cambodia conflict, especially over the Preah Vihear Temple.

For UPSC aspirants, this issue blends geopolitics, cultural heritage, ASEAN diplomacy, and international legal rulings — all crucial themes for GS2 and essay papers.

️ What’s the Conflict About?

At the heart of the conflict lies an ancient Hindu temple — Preah Vihear — situated atop a cliff along the Thai–Cambodian border.

Key Facts:

Temple is over 1,000 years old, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.
Lies in Cambodia, but Thailand disputes the surrounding land (about 4.6 sq. km).

Timeline of the Conflict

Year	Event
1907	France (then colonizing Cambodia) drew a map placing temple in Cambodia.
1962	ICJ (International Court of Justice) ruled the temple belongs to Cambodia.
2008	Cambodia registers temple as a World Heritage Site. Tensions escalate.
2011	Armed clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops. Civilians evacuated.
2013	ICJ reaffirms: Cambodia has sovereignty over the temple and its immediate vicinity.

Ground Reality: Troops, Clashes, and Ceasefires

Between 2008–2013, over a dozen clashes occurred near the disputed area.
Both nations deployed troops, dug trenches, and installed landmines.
Hundreds were displaced, and several soldiers and civilians died.

Role of International Bodies

ICJ: Gave clear rulings favoring Cambodia (1962, 2013).
UNESCO: Pushed for demilitarization of the World Heritage Site.
ASEAN: Tried but failed to mediate effectively due to its non-interference policy.

Why UPSC Cares

GS2 – International Relations: Border disputes in Southeast Asia
GS1 – Art & Culture: Ancient Hindu temples outside India
GS3 – Security Issues: Role of international courts, UN peacekeeping

️ Possible Mains Question

“Border disputes in Southeast Asia are a challenge to ASEAN unity. Critically evaluate in light of the Thailand–Cambodia conflict.”

Takeaways for Aspirants

The Preah Vihear dispute isn’t just about territory — it’s a mix of nationalism, history, and geopolitics.
Cambodia turned to international law; Thailand leaned on public sentiment and sovereignty.
The India–China border issue has parallels — legal rulings vs on-ground realities.

UPSC Prelims MCQ Style Practice

Q. The Preah Vihear temple, recently in news, is:
A) A Buddhist monastery in Laos
B) A Hindu temple disputed between Thailand and Cambodia
C) A temple located in Myanmar under restoration
D) A shared UNESCO site between Vietnam and Thailand

Answer: B

Thailand–Cambodia

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Conflicts & Disputes

1. [UPSC Prelims 2022]

Which one of the following best describes the term ‘Line of Actual Control’?
A) Border between India and Nepal
B) Border between India and China
C) Ceasefire line between India and Pakistan
D) Line separating India and Bhutan

Answer: B

2. [UPSC Prelims 2020]

With reference to the India–China border areas, consider the following pairs:

Region	Location
Lipulekh	Uttarakhand
Siachen Glacier	Arunachal Pradesh
Nathu La Pass	Sikkim

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: C

3. [UPSC Prelims 2015]

“Belt and Road Initiative” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of:
A) African Union
B) Brazil
C) European Union
D) China

Answer: D
(Often linked with conflicts like India–China and South China Sea)

4. [UPSC Prelims 2013]

Consider the following countries:

Denmark
Japan
Russian Federation
United Kingdom
United States of America

Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council’?
A) 1, 2 and 5
B) 1, 3 and 4
C) 2, 3 and 5
D) All 5

Answer: B
(Geopolitical tensions in the Arctic are conflict-related themes)

UPSC Mains GS2/GS3 PYQs on Conflict, IR, Security

1. [GS2 – 2023]

Discuss the impact of recent geopolitical conflicts (like Russia–Ukraine) on India’s foreign policy and economic interests.

2. [GS2 – 2021]

“India’s neighbourhood is becoming increasingly volatile.” Examine this statement with reference to India’s border disputes.

3. [GS3 – 2020]

How do international border conflicts affect regional cooperation in South Asia?

4. [GS2 – 2019]

Do you think that India’s role in regional security is undermined by unresolved border disputes? Justify with examples.

5. [Essay Paper – 2022]

Borders do not create peace; diplomacy does.

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🇹🇭🇰🇭 Thailand–Cambodia Border Conflict: A Forgotten Flashpoint | UPSC Notes