Only wreckage, no tourists: 1,000-year-old Hindu Shiva temple left damaged by Cambodia-Thailand clashes

It has been three months since a ceasefire halted intense fighting between Cambodia and Thailand, but the impact is starkly visible at the Preah Vihear Temple. Built by the Khmer Empire and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the site stands atop a 525-metre cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, overlooking vast plains.Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the temple has long been a cultural and spiritual landmark. Today, however, it is at risk.

From sacred site to scarred structure

Once known for its intricate carvings and panoramic views, the temple premises is now littered with stone debris, artillery craters and burnt vegetation.“All five gateway pavilions have been damaged, with three nearly beyond recognition,” Cambodian authorities said in a recent assessment.

Officials report that the structure suffered damage at hundreds of points during two major phases of fighting last year.Experts warn that weakened sections could collapse, especially with the approaching monsoon season.

No visitors, only warnings

Tourism has come to a complete halt. The site has been closed due to unstable structures and the risk posed by unexploded ordnance and landmines, a lingering legacy of decades of conflict in Cambodia.

Where tourists once gathered, warning signs and barricades now dominate. Only conservation workers, security personnel and troops remain, with opposing forces still visible across the border.

A long-running territorial dispute

The temple has been at the centre of a dispute between Cambodia and Thailand since the 1950s. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple belongs to Cambodia, a decision it reaffirmed in 2013.However, tensions have periodically escalated into armed clashes, often fuelled by nationalism and political pressures on both sides.

Blame game over damage

Cambodia has accused Thai forces of deliberately targeting the historic structure, calling it a heritage site that “belongs to all humankind.” Thailand, however, maintains that its military strikes were aimed strictly at Cambodian positions, alleging that the temple premises had been used for military purposes, a claim dismissed by Cambodian authorities.

Restoration faces uncertainty

Repairing the centuries-old structure will not be easy. Previous restoration efforts had support from countries like India, China and the United States, but work is now stalled due to security concerns.Officials say urgent repairs are needed to prevent further deterioration, but progress depends on stability along the fragile border.

A temple in transition

Originally built as a Hindu temple, Preah Vihear later became a Buddhist site, reflecting Cambodia’s religious evolution over centuries. Its unique north–south architectural layout sets it apart from most Khmer temples.Today, instead of devotion and tourism, the ancient shrine stands as a stark reminder of how conflict can endanger even the world’s most treasured heritage sites.