Why in News?
- Thailand and Cambodia witnessed renewed military clashes in December after violations of a ceasefire along their disputed border.

About the Border
- Thailand and Cambodia share an 817 km long land border in Southeast Asia.
- The border dispute originates from colonial-era treaties of 1904 and 1907 between France and Siam (present-day Thailand).
- Several stretches of the border remain undemarcated, leading to recurring tensions.
- The dispute centres around the Dangrek Mountains region, where the boundary was to follow the watershed principle.
- The Preah Vihear Temple, an 11th century Hindu temple, lies near the disputed border area.
- In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the Preah Vihear Temple belonged to Cambodia.
- In 2013, the ICJ clarified that Cambodia has sovereignty over most of the surrounding area of the temple.
- Armed clashes earlier occurred during 2008–2011, especially after Cambodia sought UNESCO World Heritage status for the temple.
- ASEAN has attempted mediation in the past, but Thailand prefers bilateral resolution and has opposed third-party involvement.
DO YOU KNOW?
Preah Vihear Temple
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
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