The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has issued a strong protest against the illegal occupation of several Cambodian cultural heritage sites by Thai armed forces.
In a statement released yesterday, the Ministry reaffirmed its firm opposition to the presence of Thai authorities at sites including Tamone Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, K’nar Temple, and other related sites within Cambodia’s sovereign territory.
The Ministry expressed serious concern about ongoing activities in these areas, including the construction of infrastructure, such as roads, and the installation of statues. It warned that such actions create a “fait accompli” on the ground and constitute a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The organisation of public visits and activities at the sites was also described as an unlawful exercise of jurisdiction.
According to the statement, these actions breach several legal frameworks, including the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty, related boundary demarcation maps, and subsequent agreements such as the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding and the 2003 Terms of Reference. The Ministry also cited violations of the United Nations Charter, the 1954 Hague Convention, and fundamental principles of international law.
Cambodia called on the Thai government to immediately halt all activities, withdraw its personnel and equipment, and fully respect Cambodia’s sovereignty.
Despite the tensions, the Ministry reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, urging Thailand to engage through established bilateral mechanisms, particularly the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), and to do so in accordance with existing agreements and international law.
The statement concluded with a call for Thailand to take immediate corrective measures in the interests of peace, legality, and the protection of shared cultural heritage. AKP
