Location
Cliffside of the Dangrek Mountains, on the Cambodia–Thailand border
Overlooks the Cambodian plains from an altitude of 625 meters
Located in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia
🌄 1. Origins: A Temple in the Clouds
Preah Vihear Temple was built primarily during the reigns of Khmer kings from the 9th to 12th centuries, especially under King Suryavarman I and King Suryavarman II, the same king who built Angkor Wat.
Unlike most temples that are horizontal, Preah Vihear is built along a north-south axis, climbing up a mountain ridge, giving it a unique, tiered design that follows the natural contours of the cliff.
🕉️ 2. Dedicated to Shiva
Preah Vihear was a Hindu temple, dedicated to the god Shiva in his form as Shikhareshvara, "Lord of the Mountain Peak."
Key features:
Five gopuras (gateways) leading to the sanctuary
Intricate carvings showing scenes from Hindu mythology
A spiritual journey from earth to heaven as visitors climb from one level to the next
It was both a religious and symbolic site, used for rituals, reflection, and royal patronage.
🛡️ 3. Power, Politics, and Conflict
Preah Vihear has long been more than just a religious site — it became a symbol of national identity and conflict.
🇫🇷 Colonial Complications:
In the early 1900s, during French colonization of Indochina, maps were drawn placing Preah Vihear within Cambodia's borders.
Thailand (then Siam) disputed this, claiming the temple lies within its territory.
🏛️ 1962: International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Cambodia took the case to the International Court of Justice.
The ICJ ruled that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia.
This ruling remains in force today, though it has sparked tensions over the surrounding land.
⚔️ 4. Clashes and Tensions (2008–2011)
After UNESCO listed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site in 2008, tensions between Cambodia and Thailand flared.
What happened:
Armed clashes occurred in 2008, 2009, and 2011.
Soldiers on both sides were injured and killed.
The conflict centered not on the temple itself, but the disputed 4.6-square-kilometer area nearby.
In 2013, the ICJ confirmed that Cambodia has sovereignty not just over the temple, but also the surrounding promontory.
🌍 5. UNESCO World Heritage Site
Listed in 2008 for its outstanding architecture, spiritual meaning, and dramatic location.
Described as "an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture."
One of the best-preserved temples built during the Khmer Empire.
🧘♀️ 6. Today: Sacred, Quiet, Majestic
Preah Vihear Temple today is:
A place of pilgrimage and worship
Less crowded than Angkor Wat, offering serene views and spiritual quiet
A symbol of Khmer resilience and identity
Guarded and maintained to preserve its heritage and protect its sovereignty