PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has strongly condemned Thailand’s decision to register several ancient temples along the Cambodia-Thailand border as Thai national monuments, accusing Bangkok of attempting to create a false legal basis for territorial claims over Cambodian sovereign territory.
In a May 13 statement, the ministry rejected Thailand’s registration of the Tamone, Ta Krabei and K’nar temples and other archaeological sites, describing the move as “illegal, null and without legal effect”.
The ministry noted that the temples are situated on Cambodian sovereign territory and warned that unilateral registration cannot be used as evidence of territorial ownership or border demarcation.
“The ministry considers this registration an unlawful attempt to create an artificial legal appearance over cultural sites situated within the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia,” the statement said.
It added that the action violated Cambodia’s territorial integrity while undermining the spirit of peaceful dialogue and mutual respect between the two neighbouring countries.
The ministry directly linked the dispute to longstanding border demarcation mechanisms and international legal instruments, including the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 and related agreements.
It stressed that sovereignty and boundary issues between Cambodia and Thailand must be resolved through international law and existing bilateral mechanisms, particularly the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2000, the Terms of Reference agreed in 2003 and the mandate of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
The ministry called on the Thai government to immediately withdraw the registration and refrain from further unilateral actions that could complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“The Kingdom of Cambodia remains firmly committed to the peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues in full respect of international law and established bilateral mechanisms,” it said.
The issue adds to the long history of cultural heritage and border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand, particularly over ancient temples located in frontier areas.
Tensions surrounding border heritage sites have periodically strained bilateral ties over the past two decades, most notably in relation to Preah Vihear Temple, which was recognised as Cambodian territory in a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice and reaffirmed in a 2013 interpretation of the judgment.
The latest dispute centres on the Tamone and Ta Krabei temples and other Cambodian territorial areas, which have been occupied by Thai forces since the border clashes of late December.
Cambodian officials have increasingly framed cultural heritage issues as inseparable from national sovereignty amid ongoing debates over border management and territorial integrity. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
