Cambodian and Thai Political Actors Interest in Preah Vihear Temple Border Conflict in 2008-2011

Abstract

This paper examines how domestic interest of political actors in particular country may spark conflict and create reconciliation with other country. The case of the Preah Vihear border temple dispute between Cambodia and Thailand in 2008-2011 shows that distinctive political interest within each country has made the the relation of both countries in up and down situation, in term of escalating conflict or initiating reconciliation, in that period of time. By discussing the interest of Cambodia’s political actor represented by Prime Minister Hun Sen with the Cambodian's People Party (CPP) and Thailand’s elites represented by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva with the Democracy Party (PD) and, later, by Yingluck Shinawatra with the Pheu Thai Party, the article argues that Preah Vihear conflict has been used by these political actors for their domestic political gains. Based on this study, it can be concluded that a border conflict can be basically influenced by political actor interest to maintain or gain domestic power. By underlining the domestic political actor interest, this study gives a different dimension compare to other studies at the same topic that tend to explain the conflict by using descriptive or chronological approach.

Preah Vihear Conflict and the Use of Military Force

“…On the other side, Hun Sen also uses this conflict to secure his position as prime minister in the next election that will be conducted not far from the timeline of this conflict's emerge (Putri and Muhyidin 2019). As mentioned earlier, the Preah Vihear temple site is critical since it is part of the Angkor Wat temple, the largest religious site in the world placed on the land.…”

“…No matter what, Preah Vihear must remain as part of Cambodia's heritage. Hun Sen saw this as a big chance to maintain his position by resolving the conflict, claiming the Preah Vihear as Cambodia's heritage, and winning the Cambodian people's hearts (Putri and Muhyidin 2019). As there is a lot of research that studies about how did the conflict happened and what is the factors behind the conflict, this study will focus on contributing to the studies as to why the military movement, even in a low intensity and hard power, is chosen to be the resolution rather than the soft, diplomatic way in this conflict of Preah Vihear, despite all the factors that affect the cause of the conflict.…”