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| When the Preah Vihear Temple was granted World Heritage status in 2008, Thailand’s citizens were angered by Cambodia’s claim to the ancient site [GALLO/GETTY] |
Thailand-Cambodia conflict over ancient temple site sparks debate over borders and historic rights.
04 Jun 2011
Tom Fawthrop
Al Jazeera
The magnificent ruins of this ancient Hindu temple, a World Heritage site since 2008, have become a bitter cause of serious border skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers. The skirmishes come amid conflicting claims over sovereignty and age-old historic rivalry.
This Hindu-inspired 11th century temple, spectacularly perched atop a mountain escarpment, hugs the border between Cambodia and Thailand.
According to Sanskrit inscriptions, the temple was once called Sri Sikharisvara, meaning “Glorious Lord of the Mountain”, a dedication to the Hindu god Shiva.
Tanks and artillery have been mobilised only a few kilometres from these archaeological treasures. During an outbreak of hostilities twice this year, heavy shelling resulted in 17 dead and more than 50,000 people forced to flee on both sides of the militarised border.
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