Hun Sen Marks 64 Years of ICJ Preah Vihear Victory
Hun Sen Marks 64 Years of ICJ Preah Vihear Victory
PHNOM PENH, June 15, 2026 — Cambodian Senate President and Acting Head of State Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Monday commemorated the 64th anniversary of the landmark International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that confirmed the Preah Vihear Temple is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.
In a brief message posted on social media, Hun Sen wrote: “Celebrating the 64th anniversary of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling, which found that the Preah Vihear Temple is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia. June 15, 1962 – June 15, 2026.”
The post marks one of the most significant milestones in Cambodia’s modern diplomatic history. On June 15, 1962, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that the ancient Preah Vihear Temple was located within Cambodian territory and ordered Thailand to withdraw any military or police forces stationed at the site.
The judgment is widely regarded as a landmark victory for Cambodia’s sovereignty and remains a cornerstone of the country’s position on border and territorial issues.
The ruling followed years of legal proceedings between Cambodia and Thailand after competing claims emerged over the ownership of the centuries-old temple, which sits atop the Dangrek mountain range along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
The ICJ later reaffirmed key elements of its decision in a 2013 interpretation judgment, clarifying that the vicinity of the temple also falls under Cambodian sovereignty and reinforcing the binding nature of the Court’s original ruling.
Hun Sen’s message comes at a time when issues related to sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes through international law remain prominent topics in Cambodia’s foreign policy agenda.
For many Cambodians, the June 15 ruling symbolizes not only a legal victory but also the effectiveness of international law in protecting the rights of smaller states and resolving disputes through peaceful means rather than confrontation.
The anniversary is observed annually in Cambodia as a reminder of the historic World Court judgment that secured international recognition of Cambodia’s sovereignty over the Preah Vihear Temple, one of the Kingdom’s most important cultural and historical treasures.
