Thai-Cambodian Border Management at Prasat Sadok Kok Thom Vicinity (1991–2020): Legitimacy, Restoration and Development as a Tourist Destination

Abstract

The study aims to explore Thai-Cambodian border management at Prasat Sadok Kok Thom vicinity from 1991 to 2020. The research adopted historical approach by using document examination and field research which conducted at Prasat Sadok Kok Thom vicinity, Khok Sung Sub-district, Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province. The study reveals that Prasat Sdok Kok Thom is of great historical and stability importance. It is also located near the Thai-Cambodian border, so three main agencies are responsible for the management, namely the security agency, the Fine Arts Department and the local organization. The results of the study of Thai-Cambodian border management at Prasat Sadok Kok Thom vicinity, 1991–2020 can be divided into two phases-border management in 1991-2013 and 2014-2020. The goal of the border management in 1991-2013 is to emphasize the legitimacy of Prasat Sadok Kok Thom amid the dispute about the land and Preah Vihear Temple. The security agency rented the area around Prasat Sdok Kok Thom to build Thai-Cambodian Self-Defense Village and evacuated Laos’ ethnic groups to live in. The village was decorated with Thailand’s national flag. In addition, the Fine Arts Department hastily proceeded to renovate Prasat Sadok Kok Thom. The border management in 2014-2020 also still emphasizes the legitimacy of Prasat Sadok Kok Thom by establishing Prasat Sadok Kok Thom as the 11th historical park of Thailand and changing the slogan and the symbol of Khok Sung District. At the same time, it also focused on building international cooperation and developing Prasat Sadok Kok Thom to be a tourist attraction. It is suggested that further research on Thailand-Cambodia border management through the operations of Cambodia should be conducted to provide more comprehensive knowledge about border management at Prasat Sadok Kok Thom vicinity.