A long-standing historical misperception prevails among educated Thais and the ruling class, erroneously portraying a so-called Khom ethnic group and the Khmer as distinct peoples.
This historical negationism, which belies the deep-rooted Khmer influence on Thai civilization, has cultivated an anti-Khmer sentiment within Thailand.
[3] In January 2003, riots broke out in Phnom Penh after a Cambodian newspaper falsely reported that a Thai actress had stated Angkor Wat properly belonged to Thailand.
Throughout 2008–13, Thai and Cambodian military forces did skirmish on each other over the ownership of the Khmer temple of Preah Vihear, leading to the Cambodian–Thai border dispute.
The International Court of Justice's decision in the dispute ruled in favour of Cambodia, which sparked anger among Thai citizens.