Asia 903
Date(s): March 23, 1970 to June 5, 1970
Participants: 800 Thailand/811 Cambodia
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side A (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute is one in a series concerning the Preah Vihear temple, which
in Thailand is known as Khao Phra Viharn (sometimes spelled Prah Viharn). Preah
Vihear is only accessible from the Dangrek Mountains, which lie to the north in
Thailand. Although the Sihanouk regime had had rocky relations with Bangkok over
Preah Vihear and his relationship with Hanoi and Peking, the two grew closer in the
late 1960s, and they discussed normalizing relations in late 1969 and early 1970. The
only sticking point was Preah Vihear, according to Sihanouk. Thailand refused to
recognize the 1962 International Court of Justice decision that granted the temple to
Cambodia. Lon Nol and Sirik Matak led a coup that overthrew Sihanouk on March 18,
- Thailand soon moved troops to the border. Thai air forces began to bomb posi-
tions around Preah Vihear, then Thai troops moved across the border and occupied
the temple. The new regime was staunchly anticommunist; the leaders of the coup felt
that Sihanouk had become too close to the Vietnamese communists. After the coup
the Vietnamese communists increased their presence in the country; they quickly
controlled one-third of its territory, including a village only 11 miles from the capital.
Discussions ensued between Bangkok and Phnom Penh for closer military relations.
At the end of May Thailand and Cambodia agreed to resume diplomatic relations,
Thailand began to provide training and arms for Cambodian forces, and Cambodia
recognized the Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear Temple as a temporary defensive
measure.
Coding changes: End Date changed from June 1, 1970.
MID#1231
Dispute Number: 1231
Date(s): May 29, 1975 to February 20, 1976
Participants: 811 Cambodia/800 Thailand
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 26–100 deaths
Narrative: Cambodian and Thai gunboats frequently clashed in the Gulf of Siam
as part of conflicting boundary claims, and this dispute began May 29, 1975, with a
maritime clash. Another clash followed in June. Then, in July 1975, Cambodia and
Thailand both stated they wanted to reestablish diplomatic relations, which they did
in October 1975. However, border incidents continued with attacks in December 1975
and clashes in February 1976.
MID#1232
Dispute Number: 1232