Publications
Analysis of the Preah Vihear Temple Dispute in the Perspective of International Law on the Acquisition of State Territorial Sovereignty
International adjudication mechanisms provide strong legal legitimacy to Cambodia's sovereignty claims over the Preah Vihear Temple, as demonstrated by the 2013 reaffirmation by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following its 1962 ruling. This study analyzes the decades-long dispute between Thailand and Cambodia from the perspective of international law on territorial acquisition, focusing on principles such as estoppel, acquiescence, and uti possidetis juris. The research highlights the importance of respecting colonial-era boundaries in contemporary sovereignty disputes while emphasizing the need to protect cultural heritage during international conflicts. By examining the legal intricacies of the dispute, the study underscores how international law can resolve complex border issues with lasting legitimacy.
Geophysics exploration of the subsurface structures of Gopura V in the Preah Vihear temple heritage site using seismic refraction tomography
Seismic refraction tomography (SRT) revealed three distinct subsurface lithological units beneath Gopura V of the Preah Vihear Temple, a 9th-century Khmer Empire site. These include a soil layer with P-wave velocities of 790–1500 m/s, a weathered sandstone layer (1500–2000 m/s), and fresh sandstone (2000–3200 m/s). The study also identified subsurface sandstone boulders southeast of the gopura and open fractures in the northeast zone. Data from 7 SRT lines, collected using a 24-channel seismograph and 8 kg sledgehammer source, aligned with borehole lithology profiles, providing critical insights for the conservation and restoration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Factors affecting rice domestic production output in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia: A study using OLS regression model
Rice production in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia—a remote, mountainous region adjacent to Thailand and Laos—faces unique challenges due to limited irrigation, small farm sizes, and geographical constraints. However, the province's distinct rice seeds offer potential for increased income and market access. A study using an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model identified key factors influencing rice yields, providing actionable insights for farmers to enhance productivity and profitability. By analyzing rice output against related variables, the research aims to inform targeted strategies that could boost sustainable rice production, improve livelihoods in rural farming communities, and contribute to broader economic growth. The findings underscore the importance of addressing controllable factors to optimize rice cultivation in this UNESCO World Heritage-adjacent region.
Preah Vihear and the politics of Indigenous heritage in Thailand
The conflict over ownership of the Preah Vihear temple between Thailand and Cambodia has had profound, often overlooked effects on Indigenous communities, particularly the Kui people in Northeast Thailand. This study reveals how national and international political disputes disrupt local traditions, such as the Kui practice of elephant-catching, by restricting traditional hunting paths due to border closures. The research demonstrates that the Kui responded to this endangerment by strategically heritagising their culture for national recognition, achieving cultural resilience through a deliberate act of partial misrecognition. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork conducted between 2018 and 2022, the study contextualizes these findings within Thailand's colonial history and Cold War era, highlighting how state-level denial of Indigenous existence has shaped expressions of identity and heritage in the country.
"The Incident of 1911": The Real Truth in the Temple of Preah Vihear Case
Recently discovered correspondence from early 1911 reveals that top Thai officials were aware of a map placing the Temple of Preah Vihear within Cambodia, yet they chose not to protest French activities at the site. This contradicts Thailand's long-standing claim that the map was apocryphal and had no legal weight. The findings challenge the narrative presented during the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling, which determined the temple's sovereignty for Cambodia. With this historical truth now established, the study suggests a shift from political disputes to practical solutions, such as establishing an 'international peace park' under UNESCO management, to preserve and manage the site collaboratively.
Practicing Peace: Conflict Management in Southeast Asia and South America
A new approach to understanding conflict management in regional organizations reveals how the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Organization of American States (OAS) navigated low-intensity border disputes. By applying practice theory to two long-standing territorial conflicts—the Preah Vihear dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, and the Cenepa conflict between Ecuador and Peru—researchers identified key strategies for maintaining peace despite simmering tensions. This study builds on established models of foreign policy decision-making, incorporating socio-psychological perspectives like prospect theory to deepen analytical frameworks. The findings highlight the role of regional organizations in mitigating crises through diplomatic practices, offering insights applicable to other conflict-prone areas.
Whether Acquiescence Constitutes the Principle of Estoppel in Territorial Dispute Cases: Case of Temple of Preah Vihear as an Example
Acquiescence can establish the principle of estoppel in territorial disputes, but its application requires clear criteria to prevent sovereignty violations. This study analyzed the case of Preah Vihear Temple to define when acquiescence leads to estoppel, synthesizing findings from relevant legal cases and literature. It identified key conditions under which such acquiescence becomes legally binding, addressing gaps in understanding this complex principle's prerequisites.
Constructive resistance: repetitions, emotions, and time
Constructive resistance challenges traditional notions of opposition, demonstrating its potential for social and political transformation. Mona Lilja's work expands the understanding of resistance beyond confrontational forms, showing how repetitions, emotions, and time strategies can create alternative discourses. The study employs a theoretical framework integrating Foucauldian power/knowledge nexus, James Scott's commonplace resistance, Judith Butler's performativity, and Rosi Braidotti's figuration. Through empirical evidence from Cambodia, Japan, and the Philippines, Lilja illustrates how constructing replicas like the Preah Vihear temple, deploying emotional strategies in civil society organizations, and utilizing museum artifacts can serve as forms of constructive resistance. The research highlights three reiteration techniques—altering repetitions, simplifying discourses, and manipulating cause-effect links—as well as four temporal strategies: memorialization, time-transcending communities, decelerated time, and temporal ruptures. This innovative approach offers a foundation for rethinking resistance beyond power dynamics.
Legal Review on the Application of Acquiescence and Estopple in the Temple of Preah Vihear Case
A legal analysis reveals that the principles of acquiescence and estoppel played pivotal roles in the resolution of the Temple of Preah Vihear case, with particular scrutiny on their application's rationality. The study examines how these international legal concepts were utilized in this landmark dispute, drawing comparisons to other cases and incorporating perspectives from judges and scholars. It highlights the legitimacy of acquiescence while questioning the controversies surrounding estoppel, offering a nuanced review that contributes to the understanding of international legal precedents.
On the Principle of Estoppel in International Disputes—Taking Preah Vihear Temple Case as an Example Introduction
A key insight from this study is that the principle of estoppel, rooted in domestic law, has been adapted and recognized as a general legal principle in international law. This adaptation is driven by theories from authoritative jurists and international judicial precedents. The research focuses on the Preah Vihear Temple case to illustrate the nature of estoppel through four aspects: clarity and unambiguity of statements, unilateral commitments, lack of objection or silence, and reliance requirements. By analyzing these elements, the study contributes to the understanding of how estoppel functions in international disputes, particularly in the context of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
UNESCO: The Emergence of the Ideals of Peace and World Heritage
World Heritage designation, intended to foster peace and international cooperation, can paradoxically exacerbate geopolitical tensions. This study examines the case of the Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2008, which became embroiled in a sovereignty dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. The research analyzes the UNESCO Convention (1972) as an instrument of international relations, revealing how heritage recognition can trigger conflicts beyond cultural preservation. The study relies on UNESCO archives, digital platforms like UNESDOC, and legal proceedings from the International Court of Justice to argue that the ideal of peace promoted by UNESCO may be undermined when heritage sites become symbols of territorial disputes.
Urgensi Kerja Sama Sektor Pariwisata untuk Meningkatkan Hubungan Thailand-Kamboja Pasca Sengketa Kuil Preah Vihear
Cooperation in the tourism sector has proven to be a pivotal strategy for restoring and strengthening relations between Thailand and Cambodia following the resolution of their long-standing dispute over the Temple of Preah Vihear. This study highlights that post-conflict diplomatic efforts, facilitated by ASEAN mechanisms, have successfully transitioned into collaborative initiatives such as the implementation of a single visa policy and D3 tourism student exchange programs. These measures not only addressed historical tensions but also laid a foundation for enhanced bilateral relationships, demonstrating the significant role tourism can play in fostering peace and economic ties between neighboring nations.
Constructive Resistance
Constructive resistance emerges as a multifaceted political tool, wielding emotions and symbolic representations to challenge established truths. This study reveals how repetitive acts—through narratives, photographs, or artifacts—shape alternative worldviews over time, bridging immediate authority resistance with delayed meaning-making struggles. It examines cases like the Preah Vihear temple conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, migrant body discourses in Swedish museums, and climate activism, demonstrating that emotions fuel political engagement while figurations (posters, buildings) anchor contemporary debates. The research combines interview data and empirical analysis to theorize resistance's temporal and affective dimensions, offering new lenses on gender, nationalism, and environmental justice.
Meninjau Kembali Penyelesaian Sengketa Wilayah antara Thailand-Kamboja (Perebutan Kuil Preah Vihear) [Rethinking the Territorial Dispute Settlement between Thailand-Cambodia (Conquest for Preah Vihear Temple)]
A qualitative analysis reveals that the prolonged Thailand-Cambodia territorial dispute over Preah Vihear Temple, despite being settled by the International Court of Justice in 1962, was exacerbated by Thai populist exploitation of unresolved issues, leading to violent clashes in 2011. The study identifies this dynamic as a critical factor in the failure of international adjudication to achieve lasting peace. It proposes that balancing conflict resolution with public education—enhancing social environments and adopting bottom-up approaches—could prevent such escalations and foster genuine peace between the two nations.
The 2013 Judgment of the ICJ in theTemple of Preah VihearCase and the Protection of World Cultural Heritage Sites in Wartime
A critical analysis of the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) 2013 judgment in the Temple of Preah Vihear case reveals its narrow interpretation of states' obligations under the World Heritage Convention, particularly concerning the protection of cultural heritage during wartime. While the ICJ emphasized cooperation between Cambodia and Thailand for safeguarding the temple—a site of 'outstanding universal value'—it overlooked the applicability of wartime heritage protection regimes. This study dissects the Court's jurisprudence, highlighting its implications for international cultural heritage law and broader legal frameworks. By contextualizing the judgment within evolving global standards, it underscores gaps in the ICJ's approach that could compromise the preservation of vulnerable sites during conflicts.
Institutional Design and Its Constraints: Explaining ASEAN's Role in the Temple of Preah Vihear Dispute
ASEAN played a crucial but limited role in managing the Temple of Preah Vihear dispute, successfully preventing escalation through negotiation while facing institutional constraints that hindered deeper conflict resolution. The study highlights ASEAN's effectiveness in crisis mediation, particularly during its renewed efforts to address the conflict, yet underscores structural weaknesses in its institutional design that restrict its ability to settle disputes and maintain long-term peace. By analyzing ASEAN's responses—from initial inaction to later intervention—the research identifies key challenges, including institutional rigidities, and proposes reforms to enhance regional security governance.
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand)
A legal analysis clarifies the implications of the 1962 International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment on sovereignty over the Temple of Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage Site straddling the Cambodia-Thailand border. The study argues that the ICJ's ruling, which awarded the temple to Cambodia, remains legally binding and should guide current disputes over its administration. It examines the judgment's historical context, legal reasoning, and subsequent diplomatic efforts, emphasizing the need for compliance with international law to resolve territorial conflicts at heritage sites. This contribution is significant in advancing the understanding of how legal precedents can address contemporary geopolitical tensions involving cultural heritage.
The Ghosts of the Temple of Preah Vihear/Phra Viharn in the 2013 Judgment
A re-examination of the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) 2013 Decision on the Temple of Preah Vihear reveals that it stands in stark contrast to its controversial 1962 predecessor. Unlike the unanimous 2013 ruling, which affirmed Cambodia's sovereignty over the temple, the 1962 Judgment was marred by evidential weaknesses—reliance on an inaccurate sketch map and a single photograph of a meeting between deceased Thai and French officials to deduce Thai acquiescence. This analysis underscores how the ICJ's 2013 Decision consciously reinforced a judgment that, upon closer inspection, lacked robust evidence, thereby addressing historical controversies surrounding the temple's territorial dispute.
The International Court of Justice in Asia: Interpreting the Temple of Preah Vihear Case
A 2013 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision on the Temple of Preah Vihear case between Cambodia and Thailand reveals that Asian states prefer bilateral dispute resolution, particularly for smaller conflicts involving indivisible assets like temples or islands. This preference underscores a modest but significant role for judicial institutions in Asia, where only eight states have accepted the ICJ's compulsory jurisdiction, and nine have appeared before it. The narrowness of the decision highlights both the limited scope of judicial intervention in regional disputes and the potential for the ICJ to mediate intractable issues that cannot be resolved through bilateral means.
Interpreting Reasons: The Interpretation of the 1962 Temple of Preah Vihear Judgment
A landmark 2013 interpretation by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on its 1962 judgment regarding the Temple of Preah Vihear revealed a shift toward greater flexibility in revisiting judicial reasoning under Article 60 of the ICJ Statute. While the Court reaffirmed its strict approach to interpreting previous judgments, it also disavowed a narrow definition of 'inseparable' reasons from operative clauses and acknowledged that 'essential' elements could be subject to reinterpretation. This suggests potential future flexibility in how the Court handles such requests, balancing stability in international relations with adaptability. The study argues that intermediate conclusions from prior judgments should remain open to interpretation under Article 60, challenging traditional legal boundaries.
State and Uncivil Society in Thailand at the Temple of Preah Vihear
The dispute over the Temple of Preah Vihear, which began in 2008, initially fostered cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia, transforming a territorial conflict into a symbol of regional friendship. However, ultra-nationalist movements, supported by civic groups and institutions, derailed this progress, turning the temple into a source of animosity between the two nations. This study reveals how Thailand's strategic shift toward cultural diplomacy was undermined by domestic political forces, highlighting the complex interplay between state policy and civil society in shaping international relations.
A New Phase of the Temple of Preah Vihear Dispute before the International Court of Justice: Reflections on the Indication of Provisional Measures of 18 July 2011
A significant legal milestone was reached on 18 July 2011, when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued provisional measures regarding the Temple of Preah Vihear dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. This decision introduced a demilitarized zone around the temple, aiming to prevent further aggravation of tensions. The study examines the validity and implications of these measures, particularly their role in cases involving the use of force and the plausibility test as a distinct condition for provisional measures. It also explores the Court's power to enforce non-aggravation measures and the legitimacy of the demilitarized zone created by the ICJ.
The International Court of Justice: Order on the Request for the Indication of Provisional Measures, Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thai.)
A landmark legal case involving the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Temple of Preah Vihear, reached a significant milestone with the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) Order on Provisional Measures and Interpretation of its 1962 Judgment. The ICJ addressed Cambodia's request for provisional measures to prevent any actions that might aggravate or extend the dispute over the temple's sovereignty between Cambodia and Thailand. This case, rooted in historical claims and border disputes, underscores the role of international law in preserving cultural heritage sites. The ICJ's decision provides a framework for resolving territorial disputes while safeguarding significant archaeological and cultural landmarks.
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