Phnom Penh Calls Thai Actions at K’nar Temple a “Grave Violation”
Phnom Penh Calls Thai Actions at K’nar Temple a “Grave Violation”
PHNOM PENH, May 16, 2026 — Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has issued a strong protest against Thailand’s organisation of public events, religious ceremonies and tourism activities at disputed temple sites along the Cambodia-Thailand border, calling the actions unlawful and a violation of Cambodian sovereignty.
In a statement released on Saturday, the ministry said it “categorically rejects” Thailand’s opening of K’nar Temple for mass public visits and accused Thai authorities of conducting activities on what Cambodia considers sovereign Cambodian territory.
The ministry stated that Tamone Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple and K’nar Temple were located entirely within Cambodian territory under the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907, as well as other border delimitation instruments recognised under international law.
According to the statement, official ceremonies, tourism activities and public gatherings organised by Thai authorities at the sites constituted “an unlawful act and a grave violation” of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The ministry further accused Thailand of attempting to create a “fait accompli” on the ground aimed at reinforcing territorial claims through public and administrative activities.
Cambodia said it rejected any attempt to “legalize, normalize, or legitimize” what it described as unlawful occupation through unilateral cultural, religious or administrative actions.
The statement also cited international legal principles, including Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter concerning the inadmissibility of acquiring territory by force.
Phnom Penh said it considered the activities a “serious escalation” and formally declared its non-recognition of any such actions or claims arising from them.
The ministry called on the Royal Thai Government to immediately cease activities at the sites, withdraw what it described as unlawful measures and avoid further actions that could heighten tensions or undermine peaceful dispute resolution efforts.
Cambodia also reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing peaceful legal and diplomatic measures to defend its territorial integrity and cultural heritage.
The latest statement comes amid continued tensions between Cambodia and Thailand over border issues and competing historical claims surrounding several ancient temple sites near the frontier.
