Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts issued a statement on April 22 reiterating its strongest protest against the continued presence and activities of Thai authorities at Ta Krabey Temple and surrounding areas. The ministry described the area as Cambodian sovereign territory and the Thai presence and activities as unlawful.
The ministry said Thai authorities continued to organise public gatherings, facilitate visits and undertake other activities there despite repeated protests by the Cambodian government. It described these actions as serious violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to the ministry, repeated recent activities, including infrastructure construction and the continuing presence of Thai authorities, seek to create a fait accompli on the ground and seriously violate relevant treaties, agreements and international law. It also strongly protested the presence of senior Thai officials, including the culture and defence ministers, at Ta Krabey Temple and activities organised there on April 22, saying such senior involvement reinforced the unlawful nature of the actions. The Cambodian ministry called on the Thai government to immediately cease all activities at the temple and withdraw all personnel from the site.
By ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
