Cambodia Demands Return of Cultural Artifacts Suspected Looted by Thai Soldiers During War

Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has announced that Thai soldiers illicitly removed several artifacts from the Khnar Temple during past conflicts and is strongly demanding their return from Thailand. In a statement dated September 15, the ministry stated that Cambodia "denies accusations related to the use of cultural heritage sites for military purposes," pointing out that artifacts taken from the Khnar Temple have ended up in Thailand. The statement also indicated that infrastructure serving cultural heritage conservation and tourism at the Khnar Temple has been destroyed. On June 5 last year, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts condemned the destruction of wooden stairs leading to the temple by Thai military forces. These stairs, built in 2017, were reportedly 325 meters long and comprised 1,181 steps, constructed by Cambodian authorities to support heritage site conservation and management, and to facilitate visits by tourists, researchers, and the local community. Cambodia asserts that several heritage sites, including Ta Manot Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and Khnar Temple, are illegally occupied by Thai authorities, who are altering the de facto situation on the ground and attempting to establish false legal frameworks to claim ownership. Cambodia condemns the illegal occupation and management of Cambodian heritage sites through the use of armed force and demands that Thailand withdraw its troops from the heritage areas, particularly the military forces stationed at Ta Manot Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and Khnar Temple. Historical evidence suggests that numerous Khmer artifacts are located in Thailand, having been illegally smuggled into the country by unscrupulous individuals. Last July, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona reportedly sent a letter to the Thai Prime Minister requesting the return of 20 Khmer artifacts, but Thailand allegedly refused, citing a lack of funds for transportation.