Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts issued a statement on May 13, summarised as follows:
The ministry strongly protested and rejected Thailand’s Fine Arts Department’s decision to enter the Tamone Temple Complex, Ta Krabey Temple, K’nar Temple and other border archaeological sites into Thailand’s national register of ancient monuments. It asserted that these sites were within Cambodian sovereign territory.
The ministry described the action as illegal, null and without legal effect, saying registration could not serve as evidence of territorial sovereignty or as an instrument for boundary delimitation. It said Cambodia–Thailand sovereignty and boundary issues must be resolved under international law, including the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty and related instruments, and through established bilateral mechanisms, particularly the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, the 2003 Terms of Reference (TOR 2003) and the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
The ministry characterised the registration as an unlawful attempt to create an artificial legal appearance over heritage sites in territory it asserted was Cambodian. It said the action violated Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity and undermined peaceful dialogue and mutual respect between the two countries.
The ministry called on the Thai government to withdraw the registration immediately and stop unilateral actions affecting Cambodia’s efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement through bilateral mechanisms.
The statement reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues in full respect of international law and established bilateral mechanisms. Article: ឡាយ កុល
