History - Russell Family Web Page

Cambodia
Disputes with Cambodia after 1950 arose in part from ill-defined boundaries. The most notable case was
a dispute over Prasat Preah Vihear submitted to the International Court of Justice, which ruled in favor of
Cambodia in 1962. During the years that the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, was controlled by the
Khmer Rouge regime of Pol Pot (1975 to 1979), the
border disputes continued.
In the early 1980s, the People's Republic of Kampuchea
and its mentor, Vietnam, made an issue of boundaries in
Prachin Buri Province in eastern Thailand.
The Preah Vihear temple remains a source of contention,
with Cambodia accusing Thailand of moving boundary
markers and obstructing access to the temple ruins, and
Thailand, for its part, accusing Cambodia of polluting the
waterways that run through the area and into Thailand.
Cambodian casinos along the frontier and various crossborder
criminal activities are also a security concern.
Laos
Demarcation with Laos is complete except for certain
Mekong islets and complaints of Thai squatters.
Malaysia
In contrast to dealings with Cambodia, which attracted
international attention, boundary disputes with Malaysia
(see Malaysia-Thailand Border) are usually handled more
cooperatively. Continuing mineral exploration and fishing, however, are sources of potential conflict. A 1
km segment at the mouth of the Golok River remained in dispute with Malaysia as of 2004.
Myanmar
Significant differences remain with Myanmar over boundary alignment and the handling of ethnic rebels,
refugees and illegal drug trade, in addition to mineral exploration and fishing rights. Groups in both
countries have expressed concern over the Peoples Republic of China's construction of 13 hydroelectric
dams on the Salween River in Yunnan.
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