PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE

CAMBODIA, Preah Vihear: Within days of the UNESCO announcement declaring Preah Vihear Temple a World Heritage Site for Cambodia, Thai troops moved into the temple market place and surrounding areas establishing fortified positions. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces responded promptly by deploying troops to the area in this century old dispute over the temple’s exact origins. 

Cambodian and Thai troops occupied positions along trails throughout the jungle surrounding the Temple in northern Cambodia straining relations between the two Asian nations. 

Three years later, the International Court of Justice unanimously awarded the promontory of Preah Vihear to Cambodia and Thailand was obligated to withdraw its military and police forces.

An RCAF soldier stands vigil as fog envelops religious supporters and monks as they join together in prayer, occupying one of Preah Vihear Temples' inner sanctums.