Cambodian Culture Ministry has vehemently condemned Thailand’s military actions, which have inflicted significant damage on the Preah Vihear temple, a revered UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ministry demands an immediate halt to all shelling and military operations targeting the temple.
In an official statement issued on July 24, the ministry asserted that Thailand’s indiscriminate attacks, including artillery shelling and aerial bombardment, constitute grave violations of international law.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, the destruction of the Preah Vihear temple is not only an affront to Khmer heritage and humanity’s legacy but also a direct breach of international heritage laws, the ministry said.
These aggressive acts violate the 1954 Hague Convention, its 1999 Second Protocol, and the 1972 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage.
As a state party to these conventions, Thailand bears a legal obligation to respect, protect, and preserve cultural heritage. This includes refraining from any military use, attack, or actions that could jeopardize the Outstanding Universal Value of such sites.
“Deliberate targeting and destruction of cultural property, as well as violations of international law, may constitute war crimes,” the ministry said.
Reports indicate that Thai airstrikes and weaponry have damaged parts of the sacred and historic Preah Vihear temple, specifically the first, second, third, and fifth gopuras, the northern staircase, the Ta Di ravine, and surrounding areas.
Preah Vihear, a centuries-old Khmer temple located in the Dangrek mountain range, remains a vital symbol of Cambodia’s history and culture.
The ministry further emphasized that Thailand’s aggression not only imperils shared global heritage but also demonstrates a blatant disregard for its international legal obligations.
