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📍 Where is Preah Vihear Temple located?
📍 Where is Preah Vihear Temple located?
If you’re asking “Where is Preah Vihear Temple located?”, the answer depends on geographic access vs. political jurisdiction.
From the Thai side: Preah Vihear Temple can be accessed via Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province, Thailand.
In legal and political terms: The temple itself is located inside Cambodia, as ruled by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962.
Although it is geographically close to Thailand and was once accessible from the Thai side, the temple currently lies within Cambodia’s officially recognized territory.
🏛️ Which country is Preah Vihear Temple in?
🏛️ Which country is Preah Vihear Temple in?
According to international law, Preah Vihear Temple is in Cambodia.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on June 15, 1962, that the temple is situated within Cambodian territory. Despite some disputes over the surrounding areas, sovereignty over the temple itself belongs to Cambodia.
🕍 Preah Vihear History (Brief)
🕍 Preah Vihear History (Brief)
Preah Vihear Temple (in Thai: เขาพระวิหาร, in Khmer: ប្រាសាទព្រះវិហារ) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, built between the 9th and 12th centuries AD during the height of the Khmer Empire.
Highlights of the architecture:
Situated atop the Dangrek Mountains at over 500 meters above sea level
Built with sandstone and laterite, extending over several platforms and gopuras (gate towers)
Unique linear plan aligned with the mountain ridge
Offers sweeping views over the Cambodian lowlands
In 2008, Preah Vihear was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—a move that reignited border tensions.
🤔 Who owns Preah Vihear Temple?
🤔 Who owns Preah Vihear Temple?
This has been one of the most sensitive questions in Southeast Asia for decades.
✅ In 1962, the ICJ ruled in favor of Cambodia, stating that the temple lies within Cambodian territory
❌ However, Thailand argued that the ruling did not cover the adjacent land around the temple
🔥 In 2008, tensions resurfaced when Cambodia listed the temple as a World Heritage Site without Thai consent
In 2013, the ICJ issued a new interpretation, reaffirming that Cambodia has sovereignty over both the temple and its surrounding area necessary for its protection and access. Thailand complied by withdrawing troops.
🗣️ Preah Vihear in English
🗣️ Preah Vihear in English
The official English name for เขาพระวิหาร is:
Preah Vihear Temple
This is the recognized name by UNESCO, ICJ, and in all international documents.
🔥 What’s the Current Status of Preah Vihear Temple in 2025?
🔥 What’s the Current Status of Preah Vihear Temple in 2025?
✅ As of 2025:
✅ As of 2025:
The temple is fully administered by Cambodia
Access is only possible through Cambodia
The Thai side (Khao Phra Wihan National Park) remains closed to cross-border temple visits
🚫 No access from Thailand
🚫 No access from Thailand
The previously popular Thai-side route to the temple remains closed since 2008
Visitors must travel through Preah Vihear Province in Cambodia
⚔️ Border tensions still linger
⚔️ Border tensions still linger
Military presence remains high on both sides of the border
Some parts of the surrounding area are still considered disputed
In mid-2025, both sides held military drills, though no major clashes occurred near the temple
🧭 Summary :
🧭 Summary :
Which province is Preah Vihear located in?
Accessible from Sisaket, Thailand, but officially located in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia
Which country owns Preah Vihear?
Cambodia, per the 1962 ICJ ruling
What is Preah Vihear’s status today?
Under full Cambodian control, open to tourists from the Cambodian side only
English name of the temple?
Preah Vihear Temple
Why is it important?
Hindu temple from the Khmer Empire and a symbol of national pride
What’s happening in 2025?
Calm but tense military watch continues; no recent violent conflict
📚 References
📚 References
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
– https://www.icj-cij.org/en/case/45UNESCO World Heritage Centre
– https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1224Bangkok Post – Border security updates
– https://www.bangkokpost.comWikipedia – Preah Vihear Temple
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preah_Vihear_Temple
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