Phnom Penh: On June 5, 2026, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia strongly condemned the recent destruction by Thai military forces of the wooden stairs to the Khnar Temple, which are the infrastructure for accessing the Khnar Temple and serving the conservation of cultural heritage and were built by the Cambodian authorities in 2017.
The 1181-step, 325-meter-long staircase leading to the temple was built to support the conservation and management of the heritage site and to facilitate access for visitors, researchers, and local communities.
The deliberate destruction of this infrastructure is a serious act of damage to the cultural heritage and to the conservation efforts that Cambodia has been implementing for many years. This act is part of a broader attempt to change the factual situation on the ground, creating a fait accompli, and an attempt to erase the tangible evidence of Cambodia’s long-standing management, conservation, and stewardship of the temple site and surrounding cultural landscape. Such actions are contrary to the fundamental principles of cultural heritage protection and are not in line with the obligations of States Parties to safeguard cultural property for present and future generations.
At the same time, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts would like to express its strongest protest and categorical rejection of the Thai side’s plan to organize public events, religious ceremonies, tourism activities, and the opening of Takrabei Temple to the public and the sale of entrance tickets, which are scheduled to be implemented on June 6 and 7, 2026.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts would like to reiterate that Takrabei Temple and Khnar Temple are cultural and historical heritage sites located within the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia, as clearly stated in the 1904 and 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaties and Conventions, as well as relevant legal instruments, which are recognized under international law.
The organization of public activities, reception of tourists, and collection of entrance fees by Thai authorities at Takrabei Temple constitute an illegal exercise of power over Cambodian territory. and a serious violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. These actions are unacceptable and are intended to create a false impression that Thailand is in control of Cambodia’s cultural heritage sites.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts categorically rejects any attempt to legitimize or normalize this illegal occupation of Cambodian territory through tourism, cultural, religious or administrative activities. These actions have no legal effect and cannot change Cambodia’s legitimate sovereignty over the Takrei Temple.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts calls on the Royal Thai Government to immediately cease all of the above activities, including tourism operations, ticket sales, and any activities that damage, modify, or disturb cultural heritage sites located within Cambodian territory. The Ministry also urges the Thai side to respect its obligations under international law, avoid actions that could escalate tensions, and refrain from any measures that could undermine the peaceful resolution of this issue.
The Kingdom of Cambodia remains firmly committed to protecting its sovereignty, preserving its cultural heritage, and continuing to seek peaceful legal and diplomatic solutions in accordance with international law to protect the nation’s territorial integrity and cultural heritage.
