Cambodia’s Culture Ministry Protests Thai Activities at Ta Krabey Temple

In a statement on January 22, Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts strongly protested what it called Thailand’s brazen activities at Ta Krabey temple, including shelling and destruction, invasion and occupation, and construction projects in and around the site, which the ministry said lies within Cambodian sovereign territory. The ministry said Thai military shelling had almost completely destroyed the temple’s form. It described the temple as an ancient site carefully conserved by Cambodian cultural institutions and a place of worship rooted in Cambodian people’s long-standing beliefs, traditions and customs. The ministry’s statement followed a January 2 statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation protesting Thai violations. The culture ministry categorically opposed the Thai military’s use of armed force to invade and occupy Ta Krabey temple and projects changing conditions in the area. The ministry regarded the invasion as a complete violation of the fundamental and indisputable principle of international law prohibiting territorial occupation by force. It asked Thailand to stop destructive activities and projects around Ta Krabey temple, which it said belongs within Cambodia’s sovereign territory, and to resolve border issues peacefully while respecting the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907. The report also noted that Ta Krabey temple, a Cambodian sacred site, suffered heavy Thai military shelling on December 9, 2025 and was shelled again on December 10, completely destroying its form and structure. By Nget Pisant.