On the afternoon of May 22, 2026, 44 heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to Cambodia attended a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Culture and Fine Arts Minister Phoeurng Sackona presented Cambodia’s position on the destruction and occupation of temple sites by the Thai side. She said the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Temple of Preah Vihear had suffered extensive destruction.
According to Phoeurng Sackona, since the ceasefire agreement the Thai side had occupied the Tamone Temple Complexes, Ta Krabey Temple and Khnar Temple, and undertaken activities including religious ceremonies, visits by Thai cabinet members, unauthorised restoration, inclusion of the temples in Thailand’s national heritage inventory, and construction of permanent structures such as large Buddha statues.
The minister said Cambodia had lodged several diplomatic protests and would continue firmly opposing activities it considered unlawful, aimed at creating a fait accompli on the ground and advancing claims over Cambodian cultural heritage that Cambodia regarded as unsupported by facts or law. She thanked diplomatic missions and international organisations for their continued support for a peaceful settlement of Cambodia-Thailand border disputes. She reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to resolving the disputes peacefully, in accordance with international law and bilateral agreements, and said peace between the two countries was important for harmony, unity and progress in ASEAN and the region.
By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
