Thailand and Cambodia conflict steeped in history, says expert

The Cambodia and Thailand conflict in late July saw 300,000 people be displaced and 43 people die. Co Director of the Initiative for Peacebuilding at the University of Melbourne and expert on the region Dr Tania Miletic says history is an important factor to be considered in this dispute, with ancient Khmer temples and colonial legacies at the fore. However, domestic politics must also be examined. Thailand’s PM was recently suspended after an “unethical” phone call with the former leader of Cambodia, and Cambodia struggles with transparency issues.