Phnom Penh Warns Against ‘Unlawful Jurisdiction’ at Ta Krabey Temple

Terry Felix On April 22, 2026 - 9:42 am In Asia Pacific 2mn Read

PHNOM PENH, April 22, 2026 — Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts issued a formal protest against what it described as the continued unlawful presence and activities of Thai authorities and affiliated individuals at Ta Krabey Temple and surrounding areas, saying the site lies within Cambodian sovereign territory.

In a statement dated April 22, the ministry said it had previously sent formal communications on Jan. 30, April 13 and April 22, but Thai authorities had continued organizing public gatherings, facilitating visits and carrying out related activities at the disputed site.

Cambodia said such actions constituted a serious violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and amounted to an unlawful exercise of jurisdiction.

The ministry also expressed concern over reported infrastructure works and the continued presence of Thai personnel, saying the activities were creating a fait accompli on the ground and undermining ongoing efforts toward a peaceful settlement.

Phnom Penh cited multiple legal instruments, including the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty, related border delimitation and demarcation documents, the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, the 2003 Terms of Reference, the United Nations Charter and broader principles of international law.

The statement further criticized the presence of senior Thai officials, including Thailand’s culture minister and defense minister, at Ta Krabey Temple on April 22, saying the high-level involvement reinforced the unlawful nature of the activities.

Cambodia urged the Thai government to immediately cease all activities at the site, withdraw all personnel and refrain from further actions that could escalate tensions.

Despite the sharp protest, Cambodia said it remained committed to resolving the dispute peacefully through existing bilateral mechanisms, particularly the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

Ta Krabey Temple, located along the Cambodia-Thailand border, has long been one of several sensitive areas subject to overlapping territorial claims and periodic diplomatic friction between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.