Cambodia Tells Diplomats Thai Actions Threaten Border Cultural Heritage
Cambodia Tells Diplomats Thai Actions Threaten Border Cultural Heritage
PHNOM PENH, May 23, 2026 — Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry hosted a diplomatic briefing for foreign missions and international organisations on Thursday, accusing Thailand of conducting unlawful activities at Cambodian cultural heritage sites along the Cambodia–Thailand border.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the briefing was attended by 44 heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to Cambodia.
The session was led by Culture and Fine Arts Minister Phoeurng Sackona, who reaffirmed Cambodia’s legal claims over several border cultural sites that Phnom Penh says have been occupied by Thai armed forces since December 2025, including the Tamone Temple Complexes, Ta Krabey Temple and Khnaer Temple.
Cambodia also highlighted damage caused to Preah Vihear Temple, the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, during border tensions in 2025.
The Cambodian side alleged that Thailand had carried out activities amounting to “unlawful assertions of Thai sovereignty” at the disputed sites following the ceasefire agreement of December 27, 2025.
According to the statement, these activities included religious ceremonies, visits by Thai cabinet members, restoration works conducted without Cambodian approval, inclusion of the temples in Thailand’s national heritage inventory and the installation of permanent structures, including large Buddha statues.
Minister Phoeurng Sackona said Cambodia had lodged several diplomatic protests against the activities and would continue opposing what she described as attempts to create “a fait accompli on the ground” and advance “unfounded factual and legal claims” over Cambodian cultural heritage.
Despite the tensions, Cambodia reiterated its commitment to resolving border disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements.
The minister also stressed that peace between Cambodia and Thailand remained essential for regional harmony, ASEAN unity and broader regional stability.
The diplomatic briefing comes amid continued friction between Cambodia and Thailand following armed border clashes in 2025 that displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and damaged cultural and civilian infrastructure along contested frontier areas.
