PHNOM PENH: On April 22, 2026, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts issued a formal statement strongly protesting the illegal presence and ongoing violations by Thai authorities at Ta Krabey Temple and its surrounding areas, which are under the sovereign jurisdiction of Cambodia.
According to the statement, despite multiple formal protests from the Royal Government of Cambodia, Thai authorities have persisted in organizing public gatherings, constructing infrastructure, and facilitating visits to the site. The Ministry categorized these actions as a deliberate attempt to create a ‘fait accompli’ on the ground. Notably, the Ministry expressed a firm protest against the presence of high-ranking Thai officials, including the Minister of Culture and the Minister of Defense, at the temple site on April 22, 2026, stating that such involvement undermines peaceful negotiation efforts.
The Ministry emphasized that these activities constitute a serious violation of several international and bilateral instruments, including: 1. The 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty and the 1:200,000 scale map. 2. The 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the 2003 Master Plan. 3. The United Nations Charter and fundamental principles of international law. 4. The legal competence of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
Cambodia calls upon the Thai government to immediately cease all activities and withdraw its personnel from the area. The Ministry reaffirmed Cambodia’s firm commitment to resolving the issue peacefully through existing bilateral mechanisms, specifically the JBC, to ensure respect for territorial integrity and regional stability.
