800-year-old Hindu shrine at centre of Thailand-Cambodia clash. 10 points on Ta Moan Shiva temple

A Cambodian soldier (R) stands guard as Buddhist monks and visitors walk around the disputed ancient Khmer temple Prasat Ta Muen Thom, or Prasat Ta Moan Thom in Khmer, on the Cambodian-Thai border in Oddar Meanchey province on March 26. (Image credit: AFP)

A conflict has broken out between Thailand and Cambodia over a disputed territory along their border that either country claims as its own. The area is culturally important to both the countries and houses an ancient Hindu temple that is reportedly 800 years old and houses a Shiva Lingam.

On Wednesday, Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged gunfire, in which a Cambodian soldier was killed. A day later, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet called for calm in the country, assuring that he does not want a conflict between Cambodian and Thai forces.

Although this has been a long-running dispute between the two countries, it was recently re-ignited after a group of Cambodian soldiers visited the temple area in February and began to sing their national anthem, Bangkok Post reported.

A Thai soldier (R) takes pictures of Cambodian people visiting the disputed ancient Khmer temple Prasat Ta Muen Thom, or Prasat Ta Moan Thom in Khmer, on the Cambodian-Thai border in Oddar Meanchey province on March 26. (Image credit: AFP)

Here's a breakdown on why the two Southeast Asian countries are closing over a 12th-century Hindu temple complex:

1.) Cambodia's Ta Moan temple, also known as Prasat Ta Moan Thom, is an ancient Khmer temple located directly on the disputed border between Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province and Thailand's Surin province. Its location in the Dangrek Mountains has been a consistent source of tension between the two nations.

2.) Khmer temples are magnificent architectural structures built by the Khmer people during the Khmer Empire, which flourished from the 9th to the 15th centuries in Southeast Asia, primarily in present-day Cambodia. The most famous example is Angkor Wat.

3.) Built as a Hindu shrine, it was dedicated to Shiva as the supreme deity. It is believed to have been constructed around the 12th century, making it older than its two companion temples, Prasat Ta Muen and Prasat Ta Muen Tot. Inside its principal chamber, a natural Shiva lingam was discovered, indicating its importance as a sacred site for worship.

Cambodian soldiers guard the disputed ancient Khmer temple Prasat Ta Muen Thom, or Prasat Ta Moan Thom in Khmer, on the Cambodian-Thai border in Oddar Meanchey province on March 26. (Image credit: AFP)

4.) The Hindu temple is the largest of the three temples in its immediate area. It sits on one of the passes through the Dangrek Mountains, a strategic point that separates Thailand's Khorat plateau from the plains of Cambodia, as per the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

5.) The temple is mainly built from laterite -- a durable red soil, with some sandstone elements -- and features a rectangular layout. Notably, its main entrance faces south, which is unusual for Khmer temples that typically face east. Some sources suggest it was built around the 12th century as a Hindu shrine.

6.) The temple complex is situated in an area where the boundary demarcation between Cambodia and Thailand is incomplete. Both countries claim the temple as their territory, leading to regular military presence and occasional confrontations, Bangkok Post reported.

A Thai soldier stands guard as Cambodian people visit the disputed ancient Khmer temple Prasat Ta Muen Thom, or Prasat Ta Moan Thom in Khmer, on the Cambodian-Thai border in Oddar Meanchey province on March 26. (Image credit: AFP)

7.) In February, a group of Cambodian soldiers visited the temple area and began singing their national anthem. They were confronted by Thai soldiers stationed nearby. A video of the exchange, filmed by a Thai, surfaced online, showing a heated verbal exchange between the two sides.

8.) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated in March that while Cambodia prioritises peaceful resolution, it would be ready to use military force if Thai troops violated Cambodian sovereignty.

9.) In May 2025, a meeting between Cambodian and Thai military officials resulted in an agreement to maintain troops at their previous positions and station only five soldiers from each country directly at the temple site to prevent further clashes, Nation Thailand reported.

A Cambodian soldier (centre L) shakes hands with a Thai soldier (centre R) at the disputed ancient Khmer temple Prasat Ta Muen Thom, or Prasat Ta Moan Thom in Khmer, on the Cambodian-Thai border in Oddar Meanchey province on March 26. (Image credit: AFP)

10.) Despite the border sensitivities, the Ta Moan temple continues to attract tourists from both Cambodia and Thailand. Visitors are generally allowed access, though they are advised to check with local military units and carry identification due to its proximity to the border. Cambodian authorities actively promote visits to the temple, considering it a significant symbol of Khmer heritage.