Cambodian King Hails National Efforts to Preserve Preah Vihear Temple

Cambodian King Hails National Efforts to Preserve Preah Vihear Temple

PHNOM PENH, 6 July 2026 – Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni has praised the Cambodian people and successive governments for protecting and preserving Preah Vihear Temple, while highlighting the country’s strategy of combining patriotism with international law to safeguard the UNESCO World Heritage site under Cambodian sovereignty.

The royal message was issued on 6 July to mark the 18th anniversary of Preah Vihear Temple’s inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 7 July 2008.

In his message, the King expressed his deep appreciation to the Cambodian people and commended the leadership of former Prime Minister Hun Sen and current Prime Minister Hun Manet for their efforts to protect and preserve the temple.

The King said Cambodia had relied on a strategy that combines national unity and patriotism with adherence to international law to ensure the ancestral heritage site remains permanently under Cambodian sovereignty following border disputes.

He also expressed profound gratitude and strong support for the continued efforts of the Royal Government, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the National Authority for Preah Vihear, and the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Preah Vihear (ICC-Preah Vihear).

The monarch further acknowledged the contributions of the committee’s co-chairs, India and China, as well as national and international partners involved in the conservation and ongoing management of the historic temple.

Preah Vihear Temple was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 7 July 2008, recognising its outstanding cultural and historical significance. The anniversary commemorates both the international recognition of the ancient temple and Cambodia’s continuing efforts to preserve one of its most important cultural landmarks.