Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia on May 16, 2026, strongly protested and categorically opposed the organization of religious events and ceremonies, as well as the opening of Khnar Temple to the public by the Thai side, whose heritage site is under the sovereignty of Cambodia.
The Ministry would like to reiterate that Khnar Temple, along with Ta Moan Thom Temple and Ta Krabey Temple, are historical and cultural sites that are entirely within the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia, as clearly defined by the Franco-Siamese Treaties of 1904 and 1907 and related documents of delimitation, which are recognized under international law.
The organization of official ceremonies, public gatherings, tourism activities, as well as any form of exercise of administrative power or symbolic actions to establish its sovereignty by the Thai authorities at these Cambodian cultural sites are illegal acts and serious violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
These acts are deliberate attempts to create a fait accompli to consolidate the occupation of the territory by force, creating false facts and legal frameworks for the occupation of Cambodian territory, both de facto and de jure, which are illegal acts.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts categorically rejects any attempt to legalize or recognize these illegal occupations through unilateral actions, through public, religious, administrative, cultural, etc. Under international law, including Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations and the principle of non-acquisitive force, any unilateral act or activity carried out under occupation cannot alter Cambodia’s legitimate sovereignty over these areas.
The Kingdom of Cambodia considers these actions to be aggravating the situation and wishes to place on record its complete rejection and rejection of these actions. These actions are null and void and cannot create or confer any right, title or claim on Thailand.
The Ministry calls on the Royal Thai Government to immediately cease all activities at Cambodia’s cultural heritage sites, remove all illegal measures and refrain from any further actions that may aggravate tensions or undermine the peaceful resolution of this issue in accordance with international law.
The Kingdom of Cambodia remains firmly committed to protecting its sovereignty, preserving its cultural heritage and continuing to take all appropriate legal and diplomatic measures to protect its territorial integrity.
