Cambodia Rejects Thai Claims of Military Use at Preah Vihear Temple

Phnom Penh – Minister of Information Net Pheaktra stated on September 21 via Facebook that Cambodia unequivocally rejects the accusations of military use around Preah Vihear Temple, asserting that Thai explanations cannot absolve them of responsibility for damages. "Accusations cannot erase damage, and claims cannot substitute for evidence! The Thai military can explain, but they cannot explain away the damage," he stated. He also pointed out that the UNESCO World Heritage site of Preah Vihear Temple has an official report from the World Heritage Centre's WHC–ICOMOS mission in 2026. The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts also issued a statement on the same day, completely denying the allegations made by Thai authorities regarding the "use of cultural heritage sites for military purposes" as "baseless." The Ministry specifically condemned the remarks by Mr. Prapas Sonjaidee, Director of the Thai-Cambodian Situation Information Center (JIC), and Mr. Phanombut Chantharachote, Director-General of the Thai Department of Fine Arts, labeling them as an "intention to distort information," an "attempt to evade responsibility for temple destruction," and "fake news intended to mislead the public." The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts reiterated that Cambodia, a nation with a rich civilization, culture, and history, and a state party to the 1954 Convention and its two Protocols, as well as the 1972 UNESCO Convention, maintains a firm and responsible stance in protecting and preserving cultural heritage. All heritage sites across the country are given high priority for conservation, promotion, research, education, religious activities, tourism, and international cooperation. Cambodia is not a state that has destroyed cultural heritage, and no cultural heritage site has ever been used as a military base, the ministry affirmed. Conversely, the Ministry stated that Thai aggression against Cambodia has 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 Spean Th'peay bridge, among other archaeological areas. It was further alleged that several heritage sites, such as Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and Khnar Temple, are illegally occupied by Thai authorities who are pursuing a fait accompli and attempting to establish a false legal framework to claim ownership. Additionally, several artifacts were reportedly illegally removed from Cambodia's Khnar Temple by Thai authorities. Cambodia firmly opposes all forms of unilateral Thai activities at Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and Khnar Temple, including infrastructure construction, electricity network development, tourism and religious events, and unauthorized repair projects. The Ministry concluded that these actions are intended to strengthen illegal territorial occupation and are in direct violation of international law. Source: CEN Cambodia