Cambodia Wants Peace
At the end of 2018, I visited the Preah Vihear temple and its surroundings. That day, the weather was remarkably beautiful and peaceful. The presence of armed soldiers on duty surprised me, because as an outsider, I thought the final and definitive ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2013 had restored peace.
Unfortunately, that appeared not to be the case then and now again in full deadly force in 2025.
What emerges in my photo series from that time, aside from the architectural character of the temple ruins and the majestic view over the lower plains of Cambodia and Thailand, was the experience of the Khmer people, who were praying in complete devotion at the end of the certain edge rock formation, high up and invisible from outsiders hidden in a notch leaving traditional Buddhist offerings behind.
Part of the Khmer Empire
From Siem Reap City, the base of the Angkor Wat architectural temple complex of 162.6 hectares, it’s a good three-hour drive to reach the foothills of the Dangrêk Mountains, the natural border between Cambodia and Thailand.
The Khmer Empire ruled large parts of the present-day states of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam at various times.
Angkor was the capital of the Khmer Empire from approximately 800 to 1431, which, in its heyday, encompassed not only present-day Cambodia but also Thailand, Laos, and parts of Vietnam and Myanmar.
From a historical perspective, it was clear to the French at the time that certain religious and historical elements belonged to Cambodia, simply because of the Khmer Empire’s perspective and its centuries-old architecture and customs.
The border between Cambodia and Thailand was established in 1907, during the French colonial period, when Cambodia was a French protectorate. Although this border has been officially established, there is still disagreement within Thai nationalists over its exact location, which has led to conflicts between the two countries.
But for the Khmer it is crystal clear who are the gate keepers to the ancient lands.
In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the Temple of Preah Vihear, an 11th-century temple, is located in Cambodian territory, settling a long-standing dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. While the ICJ’s 1962 judgment focused on the temple itself, it did not fully resolve the broader border dispute in the surrounding area. This led to continued tensions and, later, a 2011 border conflict. The ICJ later clarified its 1962 ruling in 2013, affirming Cambodia’s sovereignty over the promontory where the temple is located.
Somehow, after decades of peace and quiet, the power struggle between Thailand and Cambodia has flared up again.
Perversity of the Thai attacks
For years, Thai politics has been locked in a stalemate between the power of the conservative military and the perverse billionaire oligarch elite.
The Thai king is conspicuously absent for years, and the political struggle regularly escalates to near-civil war levels in the streets of Bangkok. In the international media, the influence of the US, an ally of Thailand, and China, an ally of Cambodia, are also being drawn into the conflict to deflect sentiment.
When Tigers fight
Be that as it may, I believe that Thailand’s aggression and territorial attack on Cambodia are more a matter of internal political problems than it really has to do with Cambodia, a militarily weaker country with the international community on its legal side regarding the disputed territory.
What could be easier than escalating a long-simmering conflict for Thailand with its weaker neighbor to fuel nationalism and deflect intent problems within the Thai military,politics to seduce the population on tribal sentiments?
At the same time, a battle of strength is also taking place in Cambodia between the old guard of dictator Hun Sen, and his successor son to the throne, Hun Manet, now being tested on his military experience, political and fighting power, which he learned at The United States Military Academy (USMA), commonly known as West Point. On both sides nationalistic sentiments flare up. From what I can see and hear is the genuine call from all Cambodians to Peace. From the Phnom Penh streets and recent demonstrations calling for peace.
Old wounds and war trauma for poor Cambodians
Inevitably, both countries are making a lot of noise with nationalistic sentiments. What drives Thailand, in light of eternity and the principles of Buddhism, is a shameful perversion of power and, in reality, an inability to achieve an internal political equilibrium of respect for UNESCO International Heritage sites and Khmer identity.
In Cambodia, we see scenes that take us back to the days of Pol Pot’s refugee camps and the Khmer Rouge. The horrific wounds from 1974-1979 seemed to have only superficial healed somewhat in a courageous struggle for reconstruction and reconciliation. People are scared from what they know too well about war.
Current Thai threats, a deadly armed conflict, and the taking of hostages after Cambodian and Thai agreed to a ceasefire do little to enhance Thailand’s image of any reason and trustworthiness.
Cambodia Wants Peace
Let’s hope the border conflict over old disputes won’t last long and that Thailand can bring its inner political issues to rest and restore stability within the ASEAN Nations.
Cambodia wants peace so its people can soon pray again high on the mountains of the ancient Khmer temples.
