Preah vihear: The National Authority for Preah Vihear has issued a strong condemnation against Thailand following what it describes as a significant act of aggression by the Thai armed forces on July 24-25, 2025. This event has sparked an international outcry due to the damage inflicted upon the World Heritage Site of Preah Vihear Temple, which is a vital cultural and historical landmark for Cambodia and bears global significance.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the aggression involved artillery shelling and bombing by F-16 fighter jets, resulting in substantial damage to the temple and its surroundings. These actions have been labeled as serious breaches of several international conventions, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the 1999 Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention, and the 1972 UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Thailand, being a signatory to these conventions, is accused of violating its commitments.
The statement also highlights that Thailand is a member of the International Coordinating Committee for the Conservation and Enhancement of Preah Vihear Temple (ICC-Preah Vihear). This committee, established by UNESCO in 2014, is co-chaired by China and India and includes other nations such as Belgium, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States. These countries are tasked with the conservation and enhancement of the Preah Vihear Temple World Heritage Site.
The National Authority for Preah Vihear expressed disappointment that Thailand, despite its membership in UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee, has not adhered to its international obligations. Instead, Thailand's actions have resulted in the displacement of thousands of families and significant harm to civilians in the area, the statement emphasized.
In response, the National Authority for Preah Vihear demands an immediate cessation of hostilities by Thai forces and calls for an end to any further harm to the temple and its surrounding civilian populace. The authority reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the Preah Vihear Temple, even amidst aggressive actions from neighboring countries.