Thailand agrees in principle to ceasefire

Thailand says it agrees in principle to ceasefire proposal as tens of thousands flee

(DW News) Thailand has said it agrees in principle with a Malaysian proposal for a ceasefire between Thai and Cambodian forces -- and will consider the offer. Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes on the Thai-Cambodian border after intense fighting between the neighboring countries. Sixteen people have so far been killed in the clashes that erupted on Thursday over a long-running border dispute. #clashes #cambodia #thailand

CHAPTERS

• 0:00 Clashes on the Thai-Cambodian border
• 2:10 Paul Quaglia, PQA Associates
• 7:12 Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch Asia

What is Cambodia really like? Let's see

Can Cambodia explain what's going on?

Thailand's border strategy is backfiring and driving the conflict

For more news go to: dw.com/en. DW is Germany's Deutsche Welle

• DW News, July 25, 2025; Pfc. Sandoval (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

Peace breaks out in Cambodia/Thailand?

Buddhist Thailand and Cambodia at war

Have Israel and the CIA's crimes in Gaza made war the norm? 

Thailand Cambodia War Timeline Explained?

(AiTelly) July 25, 2025: UNITED STATES. The roots of the Thailand–Cambodia border crisis stretch deep into the colonial past, when the Franco-Siamese treaties of the early 1900s left boundaries ill-defined and susceptible to later dispute.

• Thai means "free" as it was never formally colonized by Western powers, though Japan intruded during WW II to cross The Bridge on the River Kwai (The Bridge over the River Kwai)

Tensions simmered for decades, especially around ancient Buddhist temples that dot the border. Among these, Prasat Ta Muen Thom and the areas near Preah Vihear became focal points for competing national claims, bearing not just strategic significance but also the weight of cultural pride.

(DW) Could US and China become involved in neighborly dispute?

• What's the real motive beyond the manufactured pretext? Gas or oil reserves, greed of a corrupt Thai government, greed for tourist destinations? This is not a religious dispute but an economic one, according to one Thai American Wisdom Quarterly spoke with. It is reminiscent of Israel's greed for Gaza's underground resources, preferring to let people believe it is all about ideology, national security, and a biblical dispute rather than what it really is, genocide for economic advantage.

As the year 2025 began, a sense of unease hovered along the frontier. On May 28, the fragile calm shattered. Gunfire erupted at the Emerald Triangle, where Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged shots.

The clash caused the lives of one Cambodian soldier, and the Blame Game began immediately, with each nation accusing the other of provocation. By June 7, the rhetoric gave way to visible preparations for confrontation.

Thailand bolstered its border positions, simultaneously leveling accusations of provocations against Cambodian forces and civilians. Throughout June and July, the border region grew ever more volatile. Spasms of minor clashes flared up, border crossings shut down, and the movement of civilians became increasingly restricted.

Military alerts were raised on both sides. The crucial turning point arrived on July 24, 2025. Before dawn, Thai troops reported the presence of Cambodian drones buzzing near Prasat Ta Muen Thom.

A patrol of six armed Cambodian soldiers soon appeared at the perimeter of a Thai base, setting nerves on edge.

Around 6:30 am, shots rang out once again. The chaos of combat bred confusion and recrimination: Cambodia accused Thailand of launching an unprovoked assault, while Thailand claimed Cambodian soldiers had fired first near the temple.

The conflict escalated with frightening speed. By 9:40 Thailand reported a salvo of B M-21 rockets arcing from Cambodian positions toward Prasat Don Tuan, their impact threatening nearby civilian neighborhoods.

Barely ten minutes later, the violence spilled to the vicinity of Ta Kwai Temple, where further clashes erupted. At 10:58 am, the smoldering border ignited fully F-16 fighter jets from the Royal Thai Air Force thundered overhead, bombing Cambodian military positions at Chong An Ma.

Thai officials declared that key Cambodian command posts had been destroyed. As the day wore on, the fighting sprawled along several kilometers of the contested boundary. Artillery thundered, rockets exploded, and both armies unleashed heavy weaponry, transforming the frontier into a battleground.

• Thailand Cambodia War Timeline Explained?

Instagram: aitelly3d. Twitter: aitelly3d. Made on Blender. Download it is free and safe (blender.org/download). Peace out.

As a small channel, we encourage sharing of our videos. However, please be advised that any unofficial translations or editing of our work in any medium will be considered a breach of our intellectual property rights. We apologize for the legal language, which arises from our experiences dealing with a lot of duplicated content. This has been a result of big channels duplicating our videos, ripping our original hard work, which we have created from scratch, from modeling to rigging to animation and  rendering. As a result, we've had to involve lawyers.

Equinox up close at Angkor Wat (temple)

Welcome to the temple (wat) at Angkor! What we wish we’d known before visiting Angkor Wat (Sunrise Tour) 🇰🇭

(Praveen Mohan) How old is Angkor Wat really?

(The Buddymoon and Probably Lost) April 27, 2023: CAMBODIA - Today's video embarks on a journey to visit the iconic Angkor Wat temple in the massive old city of Angkor, Cambodia.

We had heard so much about the beauty of Angkor Wat at sunrise, so we decided to wake up early and experience it for ourselves. But what we discovered was not what we expected. As we arrived at the temple, the sky was still dark, and we were surrounded by the sounds of nature.

As the sun began to rise, we were amazed to see the temple slowly coming to life with the golden light of dawn. The intricate carvings and architecture of Angkor Wat were breathtaking, and we couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder.

But what surprised us the most was the number of visitors who had arrived to witness the sunrise. We had expected a peaceful and quiet experience. Instead, we were surrounded by a large crowd of tourists.

However, despite the crowds, the magic of Angkor Wat at sunrise was not lost on us.

We learned about the rich history of Angkor Wat, which was built in the 12th century as a Hindu temple and later converted to a Buddhist temple (though one religion seems to include the other). The temple complex is vast, and it takes at least three days to fully explore all the temples, each with its unique charm and beauty.

Overall, we recommend getting a three-day pass to Angkor Wat to fully appreciate its splendor and history. Despite the crowds, witnessing Angkor Wat at sunrise was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we'll never forget. Join us on our journey to Angkor Wat and discover its magic with us!

► Subscribe: https://bit.ly/ProbablyLostSubscribe ► Social media: linktr.ee/probablylost. Buy us a coffee: ► https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Probably...

• 00:00 WELCOME TO ANGKOR WAT
• 01:18 SUNRISE
• 02:04 ANGKOR WAT'S HISTORY
• 03:57 HEIGHTS LOL
• 05:02 SNEAK PEEK
• 05:25 BAYON TEMPLE
• 07:41 QUICK LUNCH STOP
• 07:57 TA PROHM
• 10:25 UMMM...WHAT?!
• 11:23 BANTEAY KDEI TEMPLE
• 13:17 SEE YA IN SIEM REAP
• I found Colossal, impossible geometry in this ancient block with Desert Drifter (YouTube)
• The Buddymoon; Probably Lost, April 27, 2023; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly

Angelina Jolie in Buddhist Cambodia (video)

Amber Larson, Seven, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; Nat Geo; U.N. Ambassador Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie meditates, contemplates, and waxes philosophical in Cambodia.

(KJ09) 3-D animation of the central temple in the massive city and suburbs of Angkor, Cambodia. Angelina Jolie appears at Min. 4:50 and talks of her son, the U.S. wars on Vietnam and Cambodia and how it now taught in American schools.

Jolie's adopted son is Cambodian, and she is the United Nation's "Goodwill Ambassador," and even a dual citizen of the U.S. and Cambodia. Her interest and/or karma brought her to the Theravada Buddhist nation when she was working on the "Tomb Raider" franchise as the character Lara Croft, which sealed her worldwide fame as a stunningly beautiful and eccentric celebrity.

 
But what's the real story of Angkor, Angkor Wat, and the ancient Khmer Buddhist and Hindu empire of modern Cambodia?
 
Some power took Buddhism and Hinduism from Afghanistan deep into the jungles of Southeast Asia and across the sea to Indonesia in the south, leaving some of the largest and most magnificent Buddhist temple complexes in the world. The largest is at Borobudur, Indonesia, but the extent of Angkor, Siem Reap, and other lost temples in Cambodia are massive beyond belief using more stone than was used for the pyramids of Egypt.

Angkor Wat (National Geographic)

Jolie's Cambodian tats

(National Geographic) Where Lara Croft raided tombs in fantasy, there really are magnificent Buddhist and Hindu temples sunk in jungle thickets once hidden to the world. Now some are exposed, as others remain lost in the jungles of Southeast Asia and the former Khmer empire that extended east of India to Vietnam.

Trouble in Thailand (video)

Ashley Wells, CC Liu, Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

Temple gargoyle guardians, Wat Phra Kaew Thai Buddhist temple (Naxerdam/flickr.com)

(Bravo, June 2013) Follow the work of police in Southeast Asia as they deal with British travellers who are experiencing trouble with Thai authorities.

  

Thai Buddha (Earlsy1/flickr)

Theravada Buddhist Thailand is one of the world's greatest spiritual tourist destinations. It is also  famous for other kinds of tourism. Unfortunately, it is not safe for either at the moment.

Bangkok, after enduring many troubles in the restive and tsunami-damaged south, is being rocked by political uprisings to oust the prime minister and create more socioeconomic equality.

In addition, the "Free land" is cracking down on mostly European foreign (farang) tourists.

Thailand is surprisingly devotional and pious.

There is also a long standing rivalry erupting again with neighboring Buddhist nation Cambodia and a long simmering border dispute. These rivalries extend back to the time of feudal kings and previous kingdoms.

Now with tourist dollars on the line for the lucrative spiritual-tourist trade, due to the ancient jungle temple on that border, nothing is being taken for granted or resolved amicably.

Our monks protest, too (stuff.co.nz)

Western investment and influence are steering Thailand to follow the tried and true belligerent model of western expansion as it rivals Japan and China for top Asian economy, a title which slips further away due to external currency manipulations, accusations of corruption versus fresh promises of reform and an increasing political rivalry between the Red Shirts (UDD, presumably the good guys opposing dictators and coups) versus the Yellow Shirts (PAD, the economic elites, "patriotic" conservatives in league with the military).

In 2010 there was blood on the streets as police state tactics (with paramilitary forces trained by the West) were deployed to squelch social unrest as a result of corrupt elections and growing inequality. 

• Thailand protests may spread to tourist areas

• Four dead as Bangkok sees worst political violence since 2010 (TIME) PM Yingluck Shinawatra, who won a landslide election in 2011 to become Thailand's first female PM, is the sister of the former ousted PM...the trouble maker Chamlong is yet again... 
• Thai police end resistance to protesters, allow them to advance...
• Thailand on course for trouble as PM Yingluck backs amnesty...‎ (Phuket Wan) In a nationally televised speech, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has urged senators to pass an Amnesty Bill that she says will...
• Hong Kong travel agencies change Thai plans after violent
• Thailand braces for trouble as UN court backs Cambodia in border dispute (Reuters) HAGUE/BANGKOK - U.N. court rules in favor of Cambodia on Monday in a long-running dispute with Thailand over its border...
• Cambodia closely watches Thai political turmoil: gov't
• Thai PM to visit Moscow in spite of trouble at home
  
• Thai protests EASE as police relax and lift barricades
• Thailand's secret trafficking camps for human trade

Cambodia: "A River Changes Course" (film)

Seven, Wisdom Quarterly; Kalyanee Mam; Film Festivals and Indie Films; LA Times

Theravada monks in front of Angkor, once the world's largest religious monument

Legacy of the CIA and Khmer Rouge

Twice a year in Theravada Buddhist Cambodia, the Tonle Sap river changes course, while the metaphorical river of life flows in a perpetual cycle of death and rebirth, creation and destruction. Working in an intimate and cinema vérité style, filmmaker Kalyanee Mam (director of photography for the Oscar-winning documentary "Inside Job") spent two years in her native homeland following three young Cambodians struggling to overcome the crushing effects of deforestation, overfishing, and overwhelming debt. A breathtaking and unprecedented journey from the remote, mountainous jungles and floating cities of the Cambodian countryside to the bustling garment factories of its modern capital Phnom Penh, "A River Changes Course" traces a remarkable and devastatingly beautiful story of a country torn between the rural present and an ominous industrial future.

• Travel guide: Introducing Cambodia (Lonely Planet)
• Khmer Studies Forum screening of documentary 

Amazing discovery in Cambodia!

"River" reveals a Cambodia in crisis

Susan King (latimes.com, Oct. 10, 2013)

Filmmaker Kalyanee Mam grew up with an unbridled passion for her native Cambodia. Though she was just a toddler when she and her family fled the country in 1979 and settled in Stockton (California), her parents would tell Mam and her siblings about the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979, tempered with stories of the country's rich culture, history, and beauty. "I always had this strong sense I wanted to return to my homeland and to understand..." More

(TheLipTV) Kalyanee Mam talks about her documentary MORE

Thai, Cambodian PMs fail to end border war

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – Southeast Asian leaders made little headway Sunday in helping Thailand and Cambodia end a deadly border dispute that could undermine peace and stability in the region as it pushes for economic integration.

The prime ministers of the two feuding nations held talks Sunday -- mediated by Indonesia's president -- as part of efforts to hammer out a lasting cease-fire.

But neither seemed in any mood to back down.

"There's no conclusion," Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told reporters after the trilateral meeting, providing no details. "We'll need further talks after this."

Other topics discussed in the two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, summit included Myanmar's bid to take over the rotating chair of the regional grouping in 2014-- something that appeared likely despite lingering concerns about human rights abuses, according to a draft statement seen by the Associated Press.

Spiraling food and energy prices and security in the South China Sea also were also on the table.

The main maritime dispute is over the potentially oil-rich Spratly islands, claimed in whole or in part by China and four ASEAN members --Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, and Vietnam.

The smaller nations, together with the U.S., worry that China may use its military might to seize the area outright or assume de facto control with naval patrols.

That could threaten one of the world's busiest commercial sea lanes.

"We deemed the South China Sea issue, in all its various dimensions, as having the potential to undermine the stability of our region," according to the draft ASEAN statement.

Member countries agreed to work toward ending a nine-year disagreement with China that has blocked completion of guidelines for an accord aimed at preventing armed conflicts over the disputed islands, it said.

Those guidelines would allow all the claimant nations to pursue joint development projects to ease tensions in the South China Sea region.

The annual meeting between leaders of the 10-member regional grouping was supposed to focus on steps needed to create an integrated regional economic zone by 2015. More

Wisdom Quarterly (COMMENTARY)

The only thing that can be added to this intractable story is that border disputes between these neighbors extend back to pre-Buddhist times. While Buddhism and the reign of Buddhist kings may have helped these two great kingdoms (even through the period Cambodia was the magnificent Khmer empire), it has not been enough to end the greed that makes kings and tribes rapacious and vindictive. Land is held because of natural borders, power, and the ambition of rulers. While that may led to peaceful coexistence for some time, it certainly did not resolve issues to everyone's satisfaction out in open jungle and ocean. The dispute is geopolitical, which is confounded by ethnic differences and historical animosity as one side tries to outdo the other. Buddhism does not figure into it. Both lands are Theravada Buddhist with Hindu histories and interaction, according to their own mythologies, with space traveling entities that inspired their technological prowess and expanding influence at different times in history.

• PHOTO: Cambodian-style Buddha with chief male disciples Sariputra and Maha Moggallana (trekearth.com)
  

Day 4: Thailand, Cambodia battle on border

Why does the Thai-Cambodian border dispute continue?

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) – Thai and Cambodian forces battled for a fourth straight day along their disputed border Monday [April 25], as Cambodia accused its neighbor of damaging two ancient temples in weekend clashes.

Southeast Asian diplomats are struggling to end the repeated deadly flare-ups, but Thailand's prime minister appeared to reject outside help Monday, saying the two countries have to resolve the dispute alone.

The fighting on land around temples and several other crumbling stone monuments is rooted in a long-running dispute over where the border should be drawn and has fueled profound nationalistic fervor in both countries for decades.

Field commanders on both sides reported heavy exchanges of fire after nightfall Monday around Ta Krabey temple. Cambodian Col. Suos Sothea said from the front that both sides had fired artillery, mortars, and rifles.

Thai army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd confirmed that account, saying "we could not stay still and allow them to attack. We had to counter responsively."

Both sides have accused each other of starting the latest battles, which by Sunday had killed at least 12 soldiers on both sides and forced 30,000 people in Thailand and another 17,000 in Cambodia to flee. More

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Thai-Cambodian border dispute flares up again

Why are two historically antagonistic neighboring kingdoms, both Theravada, disputing a monumental Buddhist site? Money, tourism, strategic military advantage...

New Flare-up at Preah Vihear Temple on Thai-Cambodian Border
Mari Nicholson (Bangkok, Feb. 14, 2011)
A flare-up between Thailand and Cambodia border dispute once again focuses on Preah Vihear Temple. The dispute between the two countries may deter tourists from visiting the area.

Although there have been a few deaths due to forces on both sides firing at each other (10 Cambodian troops and villagers, 2 Thai soldiers, and 1 civilian), the situation is under control and has calmed considerably since the initial outbreak of hostilities on Feb. 4, 2010.

What Caused the Flare-up?

Villagers on the Thai side were evacuated to a safe area away from the temple for a few days. They have since returned to their homes after assurances that all is now well, despite the fact that both countries still dispute both the area and who fired the first shot. Cambodia is saying it is “at war” with Thailand, but the Thais deny this.

Massive wonder of the world (bibliotecapleyades.net)

The area is not one where many tourists make the crossing however, although many want to visit the disputed temple. A visit to the Preah Vihear temple (photos) is not recommended at the moment as soldiers on both sides are nervous as the propaganda war ratchets up and “incidents” are liable to happen. More>>

Ancient temple ruins dot Cambodia (video)

Ancient temple ruins dot Cambodia's countryside

SIEM REAP, Cambodia – Tourists gather every day before dawn to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat, a 12th-century Buddhist temple and the grandest legacy of Cambodia's once mighty Khmer empire. Even at 5:00 a.m., the heat and humidity is enough to make the visitors break into a sweat.

More than 1 million people come annually to see the remains of the Khmer temples that dot the sprawling Angkor region, 145 miles (230 km) northwest of the country's capital, Phnom Penh. For Cambodians, the temples are nothing less than a symbol of their nation; an outline of Angkor Wat adorns the national flag.

A nearby temple, Wat Thmei, also includes a reminder of a dark chapter in recent Cambodian history. A memorial stupa houses bones and skulls from the victims of the "killing fields," who were executed by the brutal Khmer Rouge regime [headed by Duch, a Christian convert who was recently convicted of crimes against humanity] that ruled in the late 1970s.

Today, Angkor is a vital contributor to the poor nation's economy, with almost all visitors to the country traveling to the ruins. After a hot day visiting the temples, tourists head to the bars and Western-style air-conditioned restaurants in the nearby town of Siem Reap. Source

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Thailand vs. Cambodia: no normal relations

Chinaview.cn/Xinhua

BANGKOK -- Thailand's Foreign Minister, Kasit Piromya, said [Jan. 12, 2009] that it is still not the time to normalize relations with Cambodia, the Thai News Agency reported. If Cambodia has not ended its relationship with ousted former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, it will be difficult to improve the bilateral tie, Kasit said. No matter what Cambodia says, it will not change the fact that Cambodia has not respected the justice system of Thailand, Kasit added. The diplomatic problem between the two countries came about after Cambodia appointed Thaksin an economic advisor to Cambodia's government and Hun Sen on Nov. 4, 2009. A day after the appointment, the Cambodian government announced a recall of its ambassador to Thailand in a move to respond to the Thai government's recall of its ambassador to Cambodia. More>>

Thai-Cambodia border dispute UPDATE

October 21, 2008: Former Thai premier found guilty of corruption

Previous Story: Thai prime minister seeks talks over Cambodia border clash

• Video: Thailand, Cambodia military talks after deadly border clash AFP

Thai, Cambodian troops leaving dispute

By Sopheng Cheang (AP, 8/15/08)

Soldier guards entrance to Preah Vihear near Cambodian-Thai border in Cambodia, 152 miles north of capital (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File).

.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - A month-long standoff between Thailand and Cambodia appeared to be ending as both sides pulled back their troops Saturday from disputed territory around a temple near their shared border, a Cambodian official said.

The redeployment from the Preah Vihear area began Friday evening and was continuing on Saturday, said Hang Soth, director-general of the Preah Vihear National Authority. The authority is the government agency that manages the historical site.

.

The standoff near the 11th-century shrine began on July 15 after UNESCO, the U.N.'s cultural agency, approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site. Both countries have long held claim to the temple, but the World Court awarded it to Cambodia in 1962.

About 800 troops from Cambodia and 400 from Thailand had been in the area. The Cambodian military refused to answer questions about the pullout and it was not certain when it would be completed. On Thursday, Cambodian Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Neang Phat said the two countries had agreed to a gradual redeployment of troops from the area ahead of talks Monday between their foreign ministers on territorial disputes.

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had backed Cambodia's World Heritage site bid, sparking demonstrations by anti-government protesters who claimed the temple's new status would undermine Thailand's claim to the surrounding area. The protests left Samak politically vulnerable, and he had to take action to appease his nationalist critics. On July 15, Thailand sent troops to occupy the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda — claimed by Cambodia and near Preah Vihear.

Cambodia responded with its own troop deployment. The two sides came close to a shootout on July 17 when Cambodian monks sought to celebrate Buddhist lent in the pagoda. Troops on both sides raised their weapons, but no shots were fired, and the Cambodians eventually backed down. The border dispute has not been resolved despite two rounds of talks since last month, with the countries referring to two different maps.

Cambodia uses a French colonial map demarcating the border, which Thailand says favors Cambodia. Thailand relies on a map drawn up later with American technical assistance.

A Cambodian soldier stands guard near a pagoda close to Preah Vihear Temple. Thailand's military chief has asked Cambodia to withdraw its soldiers from around a second Khmer ruin along their joint border, raising fears of a fresh territorial dispute (AFP/File/Tang Chhin Sothy).

Cambodian, Thai wait for other to redeploy first

Graphic on the situation at the Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. Foreign ministers from Cambodia and Thailand opened a new round of talks Monday on a nearly two-week military standoff over an ancient temple that has raised tensions in the region.(AFP/Graphic/Anibal Maiz)

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By Ker Munthit (AP)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - An agreement to end a tense border standoff between Cambodian and Thai troops near an ancient temple stalled Tuesday as both sides waited for the other to make the first move and redeploy their forces.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said he was ready to pull troops back, but was leaving the timing up to Thailand. A Thai army commander said his troops had made no immediate plan to leave. The two countries agreed Monday to pull back the 800 Cambodian troops and 400 Thai soldiers stationed near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, but failed to resolve the main dispute over rights to a strip of land near the temple.

It remained unclear where the troops would be sent or when the move would take place. "For our side, there is no problem at all," Hun Sen told reporters in the capital, Phnom Penh. "The issue is up to Thailand to decide when to act. For us, anytime." Cambodian Maj. Gen. Srey Doek, contacted by telephone at the border, said his troops "still have a standing order to remain calm and exercise restraint. Thai troops are keeping the same position and so are we. "But both sides do not want to wage war and only desire to live in peace with each other," he said.

Thai army commander Gen. Anuphong Paochinda said his troops also had no immediate plan to budge. "Thai soldiers will pull out from the area only after we receive an order from the government," Anupong told reporters in the Thai capital, Bangkok.

The standoff has stoked nationalist sentiment in both countries and helped strengthen Hun Sen's popularity ahead of Sunday's parliamentary elections.

Hun Sen, whose ruling party appears to have won in a landslide, has taken a tough stance in the dispute. The dispute over 1.8 square miles of land near Preah Vihear temple escalated earlier this month when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site.

Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had backed the bid, sparking anti-government demonstrations near the temple. Both sides stationed soldiers near the temple July 15, claiming the other had moved troops in first. Shots were almost fired on July 17 when Cambodian monks sought to celebrate Buddhist lent in the pagoda.

A first round of talks July 21 foundered over which map should be used to demarcate the border. It prompted Cambodia to request a meeting of the United Nations Security Council before agreeing to the second round of talks with Thailand. Monday's talks ended with both sides agreeing that further talks were needed to resolve the larger border dispute.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear and the land it occupies to Cambodia. The decision still rankles many Thais even though the temple shares the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex. The decision was based on a French colonial map demarcating the border, which Thailand says favors Cambodia. Thailand relies on a map drawn up later with American technical assistance.