ASEAN Observer Team Inspects Preah Vihear Temple Damage

PREAH VIHEAR, Sept 11, 2026 (KPT) — An ASEAN observer team has visited Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple to assess damage from Thai military attacks and monitor the situation along the border, the defence ministry said Friday. The Cambodian Liaison Group coordinated the field visit by the ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT‑KH) on Thursday morning. The mission was led by its head of delegation from the Philippines and tasked with observing, verifying and reporting on developments in Preah Vihear province. Officials said the UNESCO World Heritage site had suffered extensive damage from repeated heavy artillery fire and aerial attacks involving drones and fighter jets. They alleged that key structures and architectural features of the temple were severely affected. Cambodia also accused Thai forces of continuing to encroach on its territory despite a ceasefire agreed on December 27, 2025. The ministry cited activities including the placement of shipping containers and barbed wire, trench digging, bunker construction and the building of concrete roads closer to the temple. The government reaffirmed its commitment to resolving border disputes peacefully and in line with international law and bilateral agreements. It said the observer team’s role was vital in verifying implementation of the ceasefire and promoting transparency, accountability and trust between the two countries. Cambodia called for the team to have a stronger mandate for on‑site inspections, citing accords reached through the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee and other mechanisms. Officials stressed that lasting peace would require both sides to respect international law, the ASEAN Charter and existing agreements.