Preach Vihear Temple
Kuleaen, Thailand
Sitting on top of a crazy steep cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, this 9th century Hindu Temple is a prime example of Cambodian temple architecture, but it’s technically in Thailand. Or is it?
The Dangrek Mountains are on the border of Cambodia and Thailand, and the ownership of the site became an issue when this temple was rediscovered in the early part of the 20th century. Both sides wanted the temple and the rich trove of artifacts. They took the dispute all the way to the Hague, and the international court ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia. This battle has been going on in some form or another since 1904, and Thailand isn’t completely happy with the ruling.
Even today, there’s the occasional artillery strike in the vicinity and secret invasion to try to claim artifacts for Thailand.