The temple of Preah Vihear, perched on a forested cliff-top right next to the border, is at the heart of the dispute between the two countries, and the historic narratives each likes to tell about itself. Once inside the temple complex it was clear it had suffered in the artillery exchanges of late July: two of the ancient stone stairways have been shattered while other parts of the temple were chipped or broken by shell-fire, the walls pockmarked by shrapnel, with dozens of rain-filled craters on the ground. "The problem of the leak is only a small issue, compared to what was happening in Bangkok, with competing factions trying to gain power in the administration," argues Suos Yara, who blamed the Thai military for using the conflict to boost its own influence.
Published at: 2025-09-07 22:04:15
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