Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture has accused Thai forces of damaging the Ta Krabey temple and called on Thailand to immediately halt all construction and destructive activities around the site, which Phnom Penh says lies within Cambodian territory.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts protested what it described as Thai violations at Ta Krabey, including direct damage to the temple structure and the building of nearby infrastructure. The ministry urged both sides to pursue a peaceful settlement of the border issue in line with the 1904 and 1907 Franco-Siamese treaties.
The ministry said Ta Krabey, an ancient site under strict protection by Cambodian cultural authorities, was heavily damaged in recent shelling that it attributed to the Thai military, leaving the monument close to destruction. It described the temple as a long-standing place of worship rooted in Khmer beliefs, traditions, and customs.
Cambodia condemned what it called the use of armed force by Thai troops to occupy the Ta Krabey temple and to carry out construction that alters the condition of the site and its surroundings. It said such actions violate fundamental principles of international law that prohibit the acquisition of territory by force.
The statement followed what Cambodia described as the seizure of Ta Krabey by Thai soldiers after 21 days of fighting in recent weeks.
Thailand’s Khaosod newspaper reported on Tuesday that Thailand’s Fine Arts Department and the Thai military had inspected Ta Krabey ahead of plans to restore the ancient temple.
On December 10, 2025, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence said Thai artillery had struck Ta Krabey, causing severe damage to a site regarded as sacred by Cambodians.
Beyond the temple, Phnom Penh has accused Thailand of illegally occupying 14 areas across four Cambodian provinces. These include three locations in Banteay Meanchey, two in Pursat, three in Preah Vihear, and six in Oddar Meanchey. Thailand has said that some of the areas are Thai territory.
Cambodia said Thai forces carried out large-scale military operations from December 7 to December 27, 2025, launching coordinated attacks inside Cambodia to seize and hold these positions in violation of international law.
On January 21, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a separate statement rejecting what it called the unlawful presence of Thai armed forces in the occupied areas, saying the actions had seriously undermined Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It cited the destruction and replacement of statues, the deployment of containers, and the construction of new trenches.
Ta Krabey was built in the 11th century during the reigns of Suryavarman I and Udayadityavarman II. It is located in Sen Monorom 1 village, Kok Kpos commune, Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province.
Separately, Thailand is preparing to host the Cobra Gold 2026 military exercise with the United States from February 24 to March 6. Thirty countries are set to take part, excluding Cambodia and Myanmar. Participants include several ASEAN members as well as partners from Europe, the Pacific, the Middle East, and South Asia.
