Temple of Preah Vihear

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Temple of Preah Vihear from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• 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.

  Eng, C., Heng, M. Y., Mao, P., Seng, M., Meach, V., Rong, P., Heng, S., Hun, K., Ea, D., & Thim, M. (2025). Geophysics exploration of the subsurface structures of Gopura V in the Preah Vihear temple heritage site using seismic refraction tomography. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1517(1), 12011. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1517/1/012011

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• 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.

  Hartono, D., & Rani, A. (2025). Analysis of the Preah Vihear Temple Dispute in the Perspective of International Law on the Acquisition of State Territorial Sovereignty. Pena Justisia: Media Komunikasi Dan Kajian Hukum, 24(1), 4777–4785. https://doi.org/10.31941/pj.v24i2.6495

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• 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.

  Santikarn, A. (2024). Preah Vihear and the politics of Indigenous heritage in Thailand. The Routledge International Handbook of Heritage and Politics, 137–152. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003300984-15

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• 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.

  Darith, S., Eav, L. K., Ngath, S., Sourphimean, S., & Sourchhordaphear, S. (2024). Factors affecting rice domestic production output in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia: A study using OLS regression model. International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research, 11(4), 125–137. https://doi.org/10.18488/ijsar.v11i4.4007

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• 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.

  Zhang, K. (2023). Whether Acquiescence Constitutes the Principle of Estoppel in Territorial Dispute Cases: Case of Temple of Preah Vihear as an Example. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media, 3(1), 414–418. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/3/2022525

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• "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.

  Roth, W. (2023). “The Incident of 1911”: The Real Truth in the Temple of Preah Vihear Case. Thai Legal Studies, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.54157/tls.262099

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• 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.

  Shigemasa, K. (2023). Practicing Peace: Conflict Management in Southeast Asia and South America. International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, 24(2), 357–361. https://doi.org/10.1093/irap/lcad011

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