The Preah Vihear Temple: what's in a claim?

Abstract

This thesis argues that the Preah Vihear Temple territorial dispute is primarily a result of conflicting historical claims tied to the colonial legacy in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the matter was not actually settled with the 1962 International Court of Justice decision and did not reemerge as a result of domestic politics in Thailand. Greater threats changed the behavior of both countries vis-a-vis the Preah Vihear Temple issue, creating the appearance that issue was actually settled. When those threats abated, the Preah Vihear issue resumed an important role in the relationship between Thailand and Cambodia. This thesis recognizes the importance of domestic political turmoil in Thailand arguing that it functioned as an accelerant on an already contentious issue.