Cambodia Rejects Thai Claims of Military Use of Temple Sites

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has firmly rejected allegations by Thai authorities that Cambodia has used ancient temple sites for military purposes, describing the claims as unfounded attempts to distort information and deflect responsibility for damage to cultural heritage. The Ministry stated that as a country with a rich civilization, culture, and history, Cambodia has demonstrated a strong commitment and responsibility to the protection and preservation of cultural heritage, adhering to the 1954 Hague Convention and its protocols, as well as the 1972 UNESCO Convention. It emphasized that all heritage sites across the country are given the highest priority for conservation, enhancement of their values, research, education, religious activities, tourism, and international cooperation. Cambodia has never attacked any cultural heritage site, nor has any cultural heritage site within Cambodia ever been used as a military base, the Ministry asserted. In contrast, the Ministry accused Thailand of acts of aggression against Cambodia that have caused the destruction and damage of ancient temples and other cultural heritage sites within Cambodian territory. These include the Temple of Preah Vihear, the Temple of Ta Moan Thom, the Temple of Ta Krabey, and Spean Toap, among other archaeological sites. The Ministry further alleged that certain cultural heritage sites, including Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey, and K'nar, remain illegally occupied by Thailand, which is attempting to create a fait accompli on the ground, including through the establishment of a purported legal framework to assert claims over these sites. Additionally, it was claimed that a number of archaeological objects from K'nar Temple have been illegally removed by Thai authorities and taken to Thailand. Furthermore, the Ministry detailed that the attacks by the Thai military on the Temple of Preah Vihear in July and December 2025 caused extensive damage, affecting a total of 562 locations and reducing temple stones to over 70,000 fragments. This indiscriminate shelling, it stated, destroyed much of the results of more than ten years of restoration and conservation efforts undertaken by national and international institutions, damaged public infrastructure, and forced more than 16,000 people to evacuate from the heritage area, with some residents still unable to return due to ongoing security and safety concerns. Cambodia categorically opposes Thailand's unilateral activities at Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey, and K'nar Temples, including the construction of infrastructure, organization of tourism and religious activities, and restoration projects undertaken without Cambodia's authorization. Such activities are considered attempts to consolidate an unlawful occupation and are contrary to international law. The Ministry reiterated its condemnation of the unlawful occupation by Thai forces, administration, and control of Cambodian cultural heritage sites and urged Thailand to withdraw its troops from these areas, particularly those stationed at Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey, and K'nar Temples. Cambodia also called for the immediate return of archaeological objects removed from K'nar Temple and taken to Thailand. It urged the Thai side to respect international law, treaties, and conventions, and to cease its attempts to consolidate and make permanent its occupation of Cambodian sovereign territory. Outstanding issues, it emphasized, should be resolved peacefully through existing bilateral mechanisms, particularly the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). Finally, Cambodia reaffirmed that its cultural heritage sites are not military bases and must never be used for military purposes. The country will continue to accord the highest priority to the conservation and preservation of its cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations and as part of the shared heritage of humanity. Cambodia categorically condemns any shelling or other acts resulting in the damage or destruction of ancient temples and other cultural heritage sites, which constitute violations of international law and undermine the protection of cultural heritage. Source: AKP Cambodia