Preah Vihear: Foreign military attachés accredited to Cambodia from all 12 countries were invited to visit the Preah Vihear temple area and surrounding regions located in Srae Em commune, Chum Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, which have suffered severe damage due to attacks by Thai military forces.
According to a press release, Ms. Major General Mali Sochata, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia, stated that on Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia facilitated a delegation of foreign military attachés accredited to Cambodia from all 12 countries to visit the Preah Vihear temple area and surrounding regions located in Srae Em commune, Chum Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, Kingdom of Cambodia, which is a priceless World Heritage site that has suffered severe damage due to attacks by Thai military forces.
It should also be noted that the two attacks involved heavy weapons, especially aerial bombings from unmanned aircraft and fighter jets targeting the Preah Vihear temple by Thai military forces, causing serious damage and destruction to the direct structures of the World Heritage site, the Preah Vihear temple, and its surrounding areas. These actions demonstrate immorality and show contempt for culture, civilization, and heritage that are humanity’s legacy, especially the cultural heritage that the Khmer ancestors have built and preserved, which is invaluable.
According to compiled records of damage by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the damage recorded from December 7 to December 27, 2025, shows more severe damage than what was recorded in July 2025. Based on photographic and video evidence collected by the Preah Vihear national authorities during a documentation mission on December 28, 2025, there are 562 locations where the Preah Vihear temple has suffered serious impacts.
As a law-abiding and highly responsible state, Cambodia firmly adheres to resolving conflicts peacefully, in accordance with international law and the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and ASEAN Charter, strictly opposing threats or the use of force, aiming to achieve a just, impartial, and lasting solution that forms the foundation for the peoples of both countries to coexist in peace, stability, and development.
