Preah Vihear Heritage Site Remains at Risk After Border Conflict, Cambodia Urges International Support

BUSAN, South Korea, July 22, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia has urged continued international support to safeguard the Temple of Preah Vihear, warning the UNESCO‑listed World Heritage site remains vulnerable following damage caused during armed clashes along the Thai border. Culture and Fine Arts Minister Phoeurng Sackona raised the issue at the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, thanking South Korea for hosting the meeting and partners including UNESCO, the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS for their preservation efforts. Cambodia said international attention on Preah Vihear increased after border clashes in 2025, including a joint advisory mission by UNESCO and ICOMOS in March 2026. Sackona said fighting in July and December 2025 caused significant damage, undermining the temple’s outstanding universal value, integrity and authenticity. Several structures were damaged, while nearby communities remained displaced and unable to fully access a site central to their cultural heritage and identity. Emergency measures supported by UNESCO’s Heritage Emergency Fund included clearing unexploded ordnance, creating three‑dimensional documentation, stabilizing vulnerable structures and recording damaged elements for restoration. Cambodia warned conservation efforts cannot be fully effective while security concerns persist. The delegation said the continued presence of Thai military forces near the temple and activities affecting Khmer heritage sites pose risks that could cause irreversible changes. Cambodian government called on Thailand to respect international law and resolve border issues peacefully through the joint commission, in line with a declaration signed in December 2025. The government also urged the committee to continue monitoring Preah Vihear and support urgent conservation work, stressing that protecting World Heritage is inseparable from protecting peace and dialogue.