Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has asked France to provide historical documents and technical records to help resolve a long-standing border dispute with Thailand, the country’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.

In a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, Hun Manet requested access to colonial-era maps and files, and welcomed French advisory expertise to help clarify the contested boundary. France first mapped the 817-kilometre border in 1907, when Cambodia was a colony, using natural watersheds as demarcations.

Disputed Sites and Historical Significance

Several areas remain contentious, including the 11th-century Hindu temple Preah Vihear, known in Thailand as Khao Phra Viharn. Both countries claim the territory, which has been a flashpoint for conflict over decades.

The Cambodian foreign ministry said Hun Manet appreciated France’s “constructive engagement” in helping mediate the dispute. Macron had previously expressed willingness to assist during earlier discussions with the Cambodian leader.

Deadly Clashes and Ceasefires

Tensions flared into armed conflict twice last year. In July, fighting broke out following the death of a Cambodian soldier in late May, killing 43 people over five days before a Malaysia-brokered ceasefire, facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump, took hold.

Hostilities resumed in December and lasted over three weeks. Both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire, resulting in at least 101 fatalities and displacing over half a million people. A fresh truce was declared on December 27.

Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

Cambodia’s appeal to France underscores the enduring complexities of the border issue, which involves historical legacies and national pride on both sides. Diplomatic engagement and access to historical records are seen as critical to preventing further escalation and achieving a durable resolution.

with inputs from Reuters