Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia has strongly protested and categorically rejected the decision of the Thai Department of Fine Arts to list the Ta Moan Temple, Takrabei Temple, Khnar Temple and other ancient sites along the border within Cambodian sovereignty in Thailand’s National Register of Ancient Sites.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Culture on May 13, 2026, this action is illegal, null and void, and has no legal effect. Such registration has no legal basis and cannot be used as evidence to assert territorial sovereignty or as a tool for border demarcation.
The sovereignty and border demarcation issues between Cambodia and Thailand must be resolved in strict accordance with international law, including the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty and other relevant instruments, as well as through established bilateral mechanisms, in particular the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU 2000), the 2003 Master Plan (TOR 2003), and the jurisdiction of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) of the two parties.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts considers this registration to be an illegal attempt to create a false legal form over a heritage site located within the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia. This act violates Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and undermines the spirit of peaceful resolution and mutual respect between the two countries.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts calls on the Royal Thai Government to immediately revoke this illegal registration and cease all unilateral actions that are affecting Cambodia’s efforts to peacefully resolve the issue. Cambodia remains firmly committed to the peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues in full compliance with international law and established bilateral mechanisms.
