GS 2- International Relations
Background – Historical & Legal Context
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The Thailand‑Cambodia border, spanning ~800 km, has long been disputed, particularly over areas around the Preah Vihear temple. Although the International Court of Justice ruled in Cambodia’s favour in 1962 and reaffirmed it in 2013, Thailand continues to contest the adjacent land demarcations.
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The 1907 French colonial map, used by Cambodia, remains a flashpoint since Thailand has never fully recognised it.
| Component | Key Highlights |
|---|---|
| Origins | Disputed colonial-era maps, Preah Vihear temple sovereignty |
| Trigger | May skirmish escalated by leaked PM-Hun Sen call |
| Present Clash | July 24: rocket, artillery, airstrikes across multiple temple sites |
| Human Toll | 15–32 dead; 140,000+ displaced; civilian infrastructure hit |
| International Response | UN & ASEAN calls for ceasefire; Thailand rejects third-party mediation |
| Domestic Politics | Thai instability, Cambodian nationalism and anti-Shinawatra sentiment |
| Economic Consequences | Trade corridor closures, threat to tourism, investor caution |