Preah Vihear temple celebrated 17 years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Cambodian sovereignty was recognized by the United Nations amid renewed border tensions with Thailand — reminiscent of clashes between 2008 and 2011 due to the heritage listing. The current crisis follows an armed territorial conflict that led to the death of a Cambodian soldier in the early mornings of May 28.
The celebration on July 7 in Preah Vihear province reaffirms Cambodia’s sovereignty over the temple recognized by the UN back in 2008 when the temple was included in its heritage list.
Prime Minister Hun Manet said as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the UN recognized Cambodia’s ownership of the temple but Thailand continues to dispute it despite the ruling in favor of Cambodia by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on June 15, 1962.
“Safeguarding our cultural heritage is a shared duty of all Cambodians,” Hun Manet posted on his Facebook page.
Between 2008 and 2011, Cambodian and Thai troops clashed in several areas of Preah Vihear, such as Tamon Thom, Tamon Touch, and Takrabey Temples, after the ancient temple was included in the UNESCO list following Cambodia’s application.
Meanwhile, the recent border disputes prompted Cambodia to seek resolution from the ICJ over four long-unresolved areas but Thailand has refused to participate in the process, as well as through negotiations via a Joint Boundary Commission in accordance with an agreement reached in 2000.
“Cambodia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the peaceful settlement of the disputes based on international law and the principle enshrined in the UN Charter,” the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry stated on July 7.
The Thai military began closing land border crossings with Cambodia on June 24 as tensions escalated.
Over the weekend, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts urged Thailand to return 20 Khmer artifacts, which Thailand later claimed had “insufficient funds” to facilitate the process. Cambodia has since said it will cover the transportation costs.
The ministry also rejected the remarks made by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, now Thai Culture Minister after being suspended from her position as Prime Minister, claiming that the Ta Moan temple complex lies within Thai territory.
Cambodian ministry spokesperson Sum Map said a letter was sent to Paetongtarn on Sunday, but there was no reply as yet. He declined to comment further.
Amid tense situations along the border, thousands of Cambodian migrant workers have returned home, according to Banteay Meanchey provincial deputy governor Ly Sovannarith.
Since the full border closure, a total of 112,678 Cambodian citizens, including 5,836 migrant workers, have crossed home through the Poipet International Checkpoint.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry spokesperson Chum Sounry could not be reached for comment regarding an update on the filing of the ICJ case.
