The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia has rejected statements made by Thai culture minister Sabida Thaiseth, who claimed on February 6 that Ta Krabei and Tamone Temples belong to Thailand.
The ancient Hindu temples along the border have been the point of disputes between the two countries, with Ta Krabei heavily damaged by Thai shelling during the December fighting. Thai authorities have said they will repair the damage their troops inflicted on the temple.
In a press statement today, February 8, the culture ministry reiterated that these historical sites are located entirely within the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia, firmly rejecting Thai claims.
“This was clearly established by the Franco-Siamese Treaties of 1904 and 1907 and their annexed maps, the same legal foundations upheld by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its 1962 Judgment concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear,” said the ministry.
It added that any claim based on unilateral registrations, domestic administrative acts from 1935 or non-recognised maps hold no legal validity under international law and cannot override binding bilateral treaties.
The ministry said that restoration work conducted without the consent of the territorial state constitutes a violation of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 2000) on Land Border Demarcation and undermines the spirit of ASEAN cooperation.
The occupation or control of cultural heritage through military presence or force is strictly prohibited under the UN Charter and the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, it added.
“In the interest of regional stability and historical truth, Cambodia calls upon Thailand to cease all unilateral activities at these sites. If a disagreement persists, Cambodia invites a transparent and legally binding settlement through the International Court of Justice, rather than through the use of force or inflammatory rhetoric,” it said.
“The Kingdom of Cambodia remains steadfast in its duty to protect its cultural heritage and uphold the integrity of its national borders,” it added.
