A Pile of Stones? Preah Vihear as a Thai Symbol of National Humiliation

Preah Vihear, an ancient temple on the Cambodia-Thailand border, serves as a potent symbol of national humiliation for Thailand. Research reveals that Thai discourse surrounding the temple, particularly during the 1962 international court case that awarded sovereignty to Cambodia, frames it as part of a broader narrative of Western imperialism and historical defeats. Newspaper and archival materials show how Thai media linked the temple's loss to past territorial losses, such as the 1946 cession of four provinces and the Franco-Siamese crisis of 1893. Conversely, Cambodian leaders countered by associating Thai claims with Siamese imperialism. The study highlights that Preah Vihear's significance lies not in its religious or architectural importance but in its role as a powerful icon in national humiliation discourse.

Strate, S. (2013). A Pile of Stones? Preah Vihear as a Thai Symbol of National Humiliation. South East Asia Research, 21(1), 41–68. https://doi.org/10.5367/sear.2013.0139