Why are Thailand and Cambodia close to war?

Countries have gone to war for lesser causes than the Preah Vihear temple: a jewel of classical Khmer architecture on the Thailand-Cambodia border.

French colonialists mapped out the border a century ago. But instead of maintaining their orderly course along an east-west mountain ridge, they are said to have looped around to the north -- putting Preah Vihear within Cambodian territory. Thai nationalists have never forgiven this accident of history, notwithstanding a 1962 International Court of Justice verdict that affirmed Pnomh Penh’s ownership.

Now, decades later, ranks of opposing armies are encamped along the border, reinforced by heavy weapons and the potential for air support. Two Cambodians soldiers died in small arms fire on October 15. Another suffocated on fumes from his rocket launcher, which he had repeatedly fired at Thai adversaries. Both sides blame each other for the clashes, saying they will retaliate if provoked more.

For Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, this would be a strange fight to pick.He won a resounding election victory this summer, buoyed by popular appreciation for stable rule and rising prosperity.  Moreover, Thailand has four times the population and seven times the GDP per head.  As a long-time US ally, it has a well-armed and trained military.

All the same, Hun Sen has stoked the latest phase of confrontation through inflammatory demands and rhetoric.  His words have been uncomfortably reminiscent of Cambodia’s bloody history, saying the area is now “a life and death battle zone.”

For Thailand’s prime minister, besieged by street protesters who seek to turf him out of office, a short and successful war could seem more attractive.

Ironically, it was the anti-government protesters themselves who catapulted the temple issue to crisis status this summer.  In July, Cambodian applied to have the temple listed as a World Heritage site.  The avowedly nationalistic People’s Alliance for Democracy group sensed a chance to make ground.  It kicked up a storm, accusing the government of surrendering Thailand’s heritage by failing to oppose the move.

For both states, pre-colonial history is a key part of their identity today.  Hun Sen has also drawn lessons from more recent history: his own experience of guerrilla fighting in Indochina’s numerous wars. This gives Thailand reason to be wary of its smaller neighbour. As Hun Sen he said the other day: “An ant is a small thing, but it can still disturb the life of an elephant."

>