Thailand-Cambodia: Exploring complexity in a longstanding cultural tug-of-war

[phuketrichard]

interesting read

Among neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, few have experienced as heated and enduring a cultural conflict as Thailand and Cambodia. While they share historical and cultural ties, these have often become sources of tension. From the Preah Vihear temple dispute to widespread online debates about the origins of the shared cultural heritage, this tug-of-war has persisted for decades.

Even though state-to-state relations between the two countries appear friendly and cordial, people-to-people relations tell a different story. Thai and Cambodian netizens frequently do not see eye to eye on their intertwined cultural heritage.

The tug-of-war centres on cultural claims where both sides insist that their respective countries are the origin of some aspect of culture, ranging from martial arts to traditional dance and costumes. One such conflict erupted during the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, where the host country dropped Muay Thai and replaced it with its own version, Kun Khmer, as an official sport, sparking outcry from the Thai side.

https://prachataienglish.com/node/11230

[cabron]

interesting read

Among neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, few have experienced as heated and enduring a cultural conflict as Thailand and Cambodia. While they share historical and cultural ties, these have often become sources of tension. From the Preah Vihear temple dispute to widespread online debates about the origins of the shared cultural heritage, this tug-of-war has persisted for decades.

Even though state-to-state relations between the two countries appear friendly and cordial, people-to-people relations tell a different story. Thai and Cambodian netizens frequently do not see eye to eye on their intertwined cultural heritage.

The tug-of-war centres on cultural claims where both sides insist that their respective countries are the origin of some aspect of culture, ranging from martial arts to traditional dance and costumes. One such conflict erupted during the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, where the host country dropped Muay Thai and replaced it with its own version, Kun Khmer, as an official sport, sparking outcry from the Thai side.

https://prachataienglish.com/no de/11230

Preah Vihear, that matter was resolved in 1962 by International Court of Justice. (ICJ) it was ruled that Preah Vihear area was situated in Territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.

[John Bingham]

interesting read

Among neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, few have experienced as heated and enduring a cultural conflict as Thailand and Cambodia. While they share historical and cultural ties, these have often become sources of tension. From the Preah Vihear temple dispute to widespread online debates about the origins of the shared cultural heritage, this tug-of-war has persisted for decades.

Even though state-to-state relations between the two countries appear friendly and cordial, people-to-people relations tell a different story. Thai and Cambodian netizens frequently do not see eye to eye on their intertwined cultural heritage.

The tug-of-war centres on cultural claims where both sides insist that their respective countries are the origin of some aspect of culture, ranging from martial arts to traditional dance and costumes. One such conflict erupted during the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, where the host country dropped Muay Thai and replaced it with its own version, Kun Khmer, as an official sport, sparking outcry from the Thai side.

https://prachataienglish.com/no de/11230

Preah Vihear, that matter was resolved in 1962 by International Court of Justice. (ICJ) it was ruled that Preah Vihear area was situated in Territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.

That was complicated a bit by the wars. Some Lon Nol troops made the last stand of the republic there in 1975. Then later on the Khmer Rouge held it against the PRK government. In the late 80s/early 90s it was only accessible from the Thai side and still controlled by Khmer Rouge. Then there were more recent problems in 2008-11 with a small scale war going on. I was up there recently, still loads of bunkers everywhere. The Thai entrance is still blocked off. Lovely place and views though.

[phuketrichard]

its a lot more than just preah vihear ( a very small part)

view looking over thailand ( 2012)



read the full article, I quoted very little

[Username Taken]

Looks like the Khmer Empire is the winner.

Khmer Empire c. 900 CE.



The Khmer empire in the early 13th century included much of present-day Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

[Doc67]

In terms of loss of land, they've done very well compared to my lot:

A mere 100 years ago in 1924:

[YaTingPom]

Britannia ruled the waves!

[SternAAlbifrons]

its a lot more than just preah vihear ( a very small part)

read the full article, I quoted very little

Thanks Rich, an exxxxcellent peice.
And like you point out, Preah Vihiar is only a small part of what it is about.

Re the little tangent about the conflict over PV (the article focusses on the cultural aspects rather than the directly political /military)...

>> It was not "settled" in 1962 as Thailand never accepted the judgment.
>> hence, as JB said, this led to a "small scale war" peaking in 2011.
- personally i would add the prefixes "nasty, capricous, deadly, intense, prolonged" to Johns rather measured description.

Anyway this peice is not really anything much about that.

As detailed and as academically solid as this piece is on culture - i suspect in only scratches the surface of this truly fascinating millenium long contest.
An excellent door-opener, i reckon.

( i may even have a short chapter to contribute soon, but on a currently unfolding economic and political aspect of this is Eons old, multifaceted, fierce national rivalry.

Choppers full of Generals, dep PMs, Mins of Def making border visits, overt displays of naval presence, nationalists have wet dreams in public.... already. in Thailand)