Bangkok, July 26: Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have erupted into violence again over the long-standing dispute surrounding the 1100-year-old Shiva temple, Preah Vihear. Thai airstrikes on a Cambodian military base and deadly crossfire at the border have left 14 Thai citizens dead — including one soldier and 13 civilians — and more than 10 injured.

The conflict flared up early Thursday when troops from both nations reportedly opened fire near the disputed area. Cambodia alleges Thai troops shot first, while Thailand claims it was responding to Cambodian provocation after drone surveillance and artillery fire from 21 miles away.

At the heart of the conflict lies the ancient temple, built by Khmer Emperor Suryavarman in the 9th century. Although the International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, Thailand continues to contest the surrounding land. Tensions worsened after Cambodia registered the site as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.

The issue has again ignited political unrest in Thailand. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended on July 2 after public outrage over a leaked phone call referring to a Cambodian leader as “uncle,” which was viewed as undermining Thai national dignity.

Previous violent episodes between 2008 and 2011 resulted in dozens of casualties. More recently, in May 2025, both countries accused each other of provocative military actions, including rocket fire and airstrikes. Thai F-16 jets were reportedly deployed.

Despite a local agreement signed in April 2025 and previous cooperation for religious pilgrimages, the military presence and nationalistic fervor around the temple remain volatile. In February, Cambodian troops had sung their national anthem inside the temple complex — a symbolic act that further angered Thailand.

The situation remains highly unstable as both sides continue to trade blame and reinforce positions around the sacred site.