Protests Erupt in Bangkok Amid Thailand-Cambodia Temple Dispute

• The ongoing protests intensified after a telephone conversation between the Thai Prime Minister and the Cambodian counterpart surfaced.
• Many in Thailand allege that the Prime Minister is prioritising personal and family relations with Cambodia over the country’s national interest, especially as Cambodia continues to assert its claim over disputed territory.
• Although Southeast Asian nations are known for political and economic unity, the Myanmar crisis and the recent tensions between Cambodia and Thailand are raising questions about ASEAN’s credibility and coherence.

A protest movement has been ongoing on the streets of Bangkok for the past few weeks. The reason for the protest is that people in large numbers have been demanding the resignation of the incumbent Thai Prime Minister, Shinawatra. Protesters claim that Shinawatra is compromising the country’s national interest.

This comes amid a territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over the Preah Vihear Temple, which Thailand claims has belonged to it since the 11th century. However, Cambodia also asserts its claim over the temple. The dispute exists because Cambodia, under French colonial rule, adopted a map that placed the temple within Cambodian territory. When the French were drawing the borders, the Preah Vihear Temple ended up under Cambodian administration.

What adds complexity to the situation is the long-standing friendly ties between the Cambodian president and the Thai Prime Minister. The current Thai Prime Minister’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra, shared a close friendship with the current Cambodian president Hun Sen’s father, Hun Neang. This friendship began when Thaksin took refuge in Cambodia in 2006 following a military coup in Thailand. Since then, the bond between the two families has remained strong.

The ongoing protests intensified after a telephone conversation between the Thai Prime Minister and the Cambodian counterpart surfaced. Many in Thailand allege that the Prime Minister is prioritising personal and family relations with Cambodia over the country’s national interest, especially as Cambodia continues to assert its claim over disputed territory.

Thailand continues to face political instability, and the significant influence of the monarchy often delays the formation of a people-mandated government.

Although Southeast Asian nations are known for political and economic unity, the Myanmar crisis and the recent tensions between Cambodia and Thailand are raising questions about ASEAN’s credibility and coherence.

This also comes at a time when the global economy is under strain. It’s important to note that China has increased its influence in Cambodia. In 2022, China established a military base at the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia. Alongside this, China continues to invest in large-scale infrastructure projects in the country, aiming to strengthen its strategic foothold in the ASEAN region.

Although China has publicly maintained a neutral stance on the Thailand-Cambodia dispute, calling for diplomatic dialogue, its strategic interests in the region suggest that its involvement cannot be entirely ruled out.

Aayush Pal

Aayush Pal is a freelance writer on contemporary geopolitical developments. The views expressed in his work are entirely his own.