Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has strongly condemned recent Thai military actions that have caused serious damage to the Preah Vihear Temple, a sacred site and UNESCO World Heritage monument. The ministry has called for an immediate cessation of all military activity in and around the temple area, according to Cambodianess. 

In an official statement released on July 24, the ministry described the attacks, which reportedly included artillery shelling and airstrikes, as a blatant violation of international law and a direct threat to cultural heritage.

Preah Vihear Temple, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, holds immense historical and cultural significance for Cambodia and is regarded as part of the shared heritage of humanity. The ministry stated that its destruction constitutes a breach of multiple international treaties aimed at safeguarding cultural property.

The attacks were described as violations of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, its Second Protocol adopted in 1999, and the 1972 UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

As a signatory to these agreements, Thailand is legally bound to respect and protect cultural heritage sites, including by avoiding their use for military purposes and refraining from any actions that could compromise their Outstanding Universal Value.

“The deliberate targeting of cultural property, as well as violations of international law, may amount to war crimes,” the ministry warned.

Initial assessments indicate that several parts of the ancient temple complex have sustained damage, including the first, second, third, and fifth gopuras (gate towers), the northern staircase, Ta Di ravine, and adjacent areas.

Situated atop the Dangrek mountain range, Preah Vihear Temple is a symbol of Khmer civilisation and national identity. The Ministry of Culture underscored that any attack on the site not only endangers Cambodia’s cultural legacy but also threatens the global community’s shared heritage.

The ministry further criticised the Thai military’s actions as a “serious breach” of international obligations, demonstrating what it described as a wilful disregard for the preservation of humanity’s irreplaceable cultural treasures.