Thai-Cambodian Border Conflict Displaces Civilians Near Ancient Sites

A border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is intensifying, causing civilian casualties and displacement near ancient temple complexes once part of the Khmer Empire. The conflict, rooted in decades-old territorial disagreements, is fueling jingoism in both nations. Residents caught in the crossfire, like Chhin Sochulsa and his family who fled their home near the Ta Moan Thom temple, face dire living conditions, uncertainty, and economic hardship, with many unsure of the conflict's precise origins but deeply affected by its consequences. The dispute highlights how modern national borders can disrupt communities and shared cultural heritage that predates current state definitions.