A clearer view of Preah Vihear

JOHN BURGESS’S new book “Temple in the Clouds” offers a valuable aid for scholars seeking missing pieces in the |fractured history of Preah Vihear, a world-renowned ancient temple that’s been transformed into a battlefield in recent decades.

The cliff-top sanctuary rose in the 10th century over the plains of the Khmer Empire but now straddles the Thai-Cambodian border – a line on the map that has existed only since 1907, hastily drawn by French colonists. 

“Temple in the Clouds” skilfully sets Preah Vihear in its religious and historical context, giving a fascinating account of its birth as a Hindu temple through its reincarnation amid the blossoming of Buddhism in Southeast Asia. This panorama of history lends useful perspective to what follows, as Burgess undertakes a painstaking examination of the conflict over Preah Vihear’s ownership – a longstanding source of tension in Thai-Cambodian relations that wasn’t resolved when the International Court of Justice ruled in favour of Phnom Penh in 1962.

“My idea is to present fact – a manifestation of what has happened over six centuries,” Burgess says in an interview with The Nation.

He adds that relations between the two sides go far beyond mere diplomatic ties, since the neighbouring countries enjoy shared cultural roots that reach deep into history. 

“Cambodia and Thailand should write a joint history textbook,” the veteran former Washington Post correspondent quips.

Burgess’s big scoop was his discovery of a paper by Philip Jessup – a lawyer who represented Thailand in the early phase of the case, but dropped out when he was appointed as a judge at the ICJ. 

“Philip’s papers have been kept at the US Library of Congress since the 1980s. This paper gives an insight into the Thais’ strategy to fight the case at the ICJ,” says Burgess. “Historically speaking, it is interesting to see that the Thais had the perception that their position was [vulnerable].” 

Another important point that emerges in the book is that the American embassies in Cambodia and Thailand had different views on the case.

“On the Thai side, the American representatives in Bangkok were saying that Thailand should keep the negotiations at the bilateral level. On the other side, the American embassy in Phnom Penh was supportive of the idea that Cambodia should submit the case to the ICJ.

“Back then, the US government was trying to create an atmosphere of truce. The two sides were trapped in a war of words, especially in the media.”

The hunt for the truth of Preah Vihear took Burgess on a trail that led through the United States, France and Thailand. He first visited the place in 1974, and found its enchanting beauty hadn’t faded when he returned in 2010 on a research mission for the book.

As for his perception of the current situation, Burgess says both sides are moving in the right direction by sharing talks rather than shouldering arms. And though he reckons the future is hard to predict, he sees room for optimism.

“I hope the two governments continue to improve their relations. To me, Preah Vihear is an example of the powers of human creativity.”

 

The Temple in the Clouds: 

Faith and Conflict at Preah Vihear

By John Burgess

Published by River Books

Available at major bookshops, Bt427