National
13 May 2026 10:13 AM• 1 hour ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Cambodia Rejects Thailand's Registration of Ta Muen, Ta Krabey, and Khnar Temples as Thai National Heritage Sites
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PHNOM PENH – May 13, 2026 – The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia has issued a strong statement of protest, absolutely rejecting and considering null and void the decision by Thailand's Department of Fine Arts to register the Ta Muen, Ta Krabey, and Khnar temple clusters, along with other ancient sites along the border, as Thai national heritage sites.
In the statement released today, the Ministry emphasized several key points.
The Ministry declared that Thailand's actions are illegal, void, and carry no legal authority. The registration has no legal basis and cannot be used as evidence to assert territorial sovereignty or for border demarcation.
Cambodia reminded that all matters of sovereignty and borders between the two countries must be resolved in accordance with the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty and existing mechanisms, including the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU 2000), the 2003 Terms of Reference (TOR 2003), and through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
The Ministry considers the act an attempt to create a false legal framework over Khmer heritage located within Cambodia's sovereign territory. It called this a serious violation of territorial integrity that undermines the spirit of peaceful resolution between the two neighboring nations.
Cambodia called on the Royal Thai Government to urgently cancel this illegal registration and cease all unilateral actions that affect efforts to maintain peace and mutual understanding.
The Kingdom of Cambodia reaffirmed its firm commitment to continuing to resolve all outstanding issues peacefully, based on international law and agreed bilateral mechanisms.
Source: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Royal Government of Cambodia /
Reported by The Khmer Daily Desk, May 13, 2026.
In the statement released today, the Ministry emphasized several key points.
The Ministry declared that Thailand's actions are illegal, void, and carry no legal authority. The registration has no legal basis and cannot be used as evidence to assert territorial sovereignty or for border demarcation.
Cambodia reminded that all matters of sovereignty and borders between the two countries must be resolved in accordance with the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty and existing mechanisms, including the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU 2000), the 2003 Terms of Reference (TOR 2003), and through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
The Ministry considers the act an attempt to create a false legal framework over Khmer heritage located within Cambodia's sovereign territory. It called this a serious violation of territorial integrity that undermines the spirit of peaceful resolution between the two neighboring nations.
Cambodia called on the Royal Thai Government to urgently cancel this illegal registration and cease all unilateral actions that affect efforts to maintain peace and mutual understanding.
The Kingdom of Cambodia reaffirmed its firm commitment to continuing to resolve all outstanding issues peacefully, based on international law and agreed bilateral mechanisms.
Source: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Royal Government of Cambodia /
Reported by The Khmer Daily Desk, May 13, 2026.
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