Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom:
Thailand and Cambodia have called a ceasefire after clashes near Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom in the Southeast Asian Emerald Triangle, a region long disputed due to colonial-era borders and cultural claims.
- Southeast Asian Emerald Triangle refers to a geographically sensitive area where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet, known for its dense forests and ancient temples.
- Preah Vihear is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Cambodia, along the Thailand-Cambodia border in the Dangrek Mountains.
- The temple was built around the 11th century by the Khmer kings Suryavarman I and II, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 (reaffirmed in 2013) that the temple belongs to Cambodia. However, Thailand has rejected the ICJ’s jurisdiction, keeping tensions alive.
- Prasat Ta Muen Thom is a 12th-century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, later adapted for Buddhist use. It is part of a temple group that includes
- Prasat Ta Muen (a pilgrim rest house) and Prasat Ta Muen Tot (a hospital shrine).
- Built by Khmer kings Udayadityavarman II and Jayavarman VII, the complex reflects Angkorian architecture.
