Cambodia Denies Military Use of Heritage Sites, Cites Thai Aggression

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia has strongly refuted allegations from Thai officials that Cambodia is using cultural heritage sites for military purposes, terming them baseless accusations. In a statement released on September 15, the ministry described the Thai claims as an intentional distortion of information and an attempt to evade responsibility for the destruction of cultural heritage. The ministry emphasized Cambodia's responsible stance in protecting its cultural heritage, stating that all heritage sites across the country are prioritized for conservation, valorization, research, education, religious activities, tourism, and international cooperation. Cambodia, it asserted, is not a state that has destroyed cultural heritage, nor are any of its cultural heritage sites used as military bases. Conversely, Cambodia claims that Thai acts of aggression have caused destruction and damage to several ancient temples and heritage sites within Cambodian sovereign territory, including Preah Vihear Temple, Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and the Tuol Leap Bridge, as well as other archaeological areas. It alleges that authorities in Thailand have illegally occupied sites such as Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and Khnar Temple, altering the de facto situation and attempting to create a false legal framework for their ownership. Furthermore, it claims that several artifacts have been illegally removed by Thai authorities from Cambodia's Khnar Temple. The statement strongly condemned unilateral activities by Thailand at Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and Khnar Temple, including infrastructure construction, electrical network development, tourism and religious events, and unauthorized repair projects. These actions, it argued, are intended to strengthen illegal occupation and are in direct violation of international law. Moreover, the ministry detailed severe damage to Preah Vihear Temple, a World Heritage site, from Thai military shelling in July and December 2025, resulting in the destruction of 562 locations and over 70,000 fragments of stone. This indiscriminate attack, it stated, completely destroyed over a decade of restoration efforts by national and international institutions, along with public infrastructure, and caused the displacement of over 16,000 residents, many of whom cannot yet return due to security concerns. The damage to Preah Vihear Temple has been assessed and documented by national and international experts. Cambodia reiterated its condemnation of Thailand's illegal management and administration of Cambodian heritage sites through armed force and demanded the withdrawal of Thai troops from heritage areas, particularly military forces stationed at Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and Khnar Temple. It also demanded the return of artifacts illegally removed from Khnar Temple to Thailand. Furthermore, Cambodia urged Thailand to respect international law, treaties, and conventions, cease its use of force and fait accompli activities aimed at permanent territorial occupation, and to resolve issues peacefully through existing bilateral mechanisms, especially the Joint Border Commission (JBC). Finally, Cambodia reaffirmed that all heritage sites are unequivocally not military bases and will never be used as such. The nation will continue to prioritize the conservation of heritage for future generations and all of humanity, condemning all actions that damage cultural heritage sites as violations of international law and detrimental to heritage conservation efforts. Source: CEN Cambodia