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• 2 hours ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Cambodia Alleges Looting of Khnar Antiquities as Thai Works at Temple Sites Go Unanswered
PHNOM PENH — October 24, 2026: The archaeological objects taken from K'nar Temple are still in Thailand, and Thai authorities have not answered Cambodia's demand for their return or explained the unilateral works at other Cambodian temple sites, according to a Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts statement dated 22 October.
The ministry reiterated its call for the return of objects removed from K'nar and taken to Thailand — a long-standing request whose restatement signals Phnom Penh intends to keep pressing. Thailand has issued no public response: it has not contested Cambodia's account of the removal, set out any legal basis for retaining the objects, or given a timeline for their return.
The statement firmly and categorically rejected the repeated allegations by Thai military authorities that Cambodia used ancient temples for military purposes, describing them as unfounded claims that distort the facts, mislead the public and divert attention from the destruction inflicted on Cambodian cultural heritage by Thai armed forces. Temples, it said, are places of worship, conservation, research, education and tourism, never military bases, and Cambodia remains committed to protecting its heritage under the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1972 World Heritage Convention.
Cambodia also strongly protested the continued presence of Thai forces and unilateral activities at Tamone Thom, Ta Krabey and K'nar and other border archaeological sites, including demining operations, infrastructure and electricity-network development, and restoration and construction projects undertaken without Cambodian consent. The ministry said these raise serious concerns about respect for Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and risk prejudicing the peaceful resolution of outstanding border issues.
It recalled the extensive damage to Preah Vihear and other heritage sites during the July and December 2025 armed clashes, saying the documented loss of irreplaceable cultural property underscored the need for restraint, accountability and full respect for the conventions protecting cultural heritage — which is why, it argues, what can be returned should be.
Cambodia's requests remain on the table: cease the accusations, end unilateral activity at Cambodian heritage sites, respect Cambodian sovereignty and borders, return the objects taken from K'nar, and resolve outstanding matters through the Joint Boundary Commission. Whether Bangkok intends to answer any of them remains, for now, unknown.
Source: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Kingdom of Cambodia — statement dated 22 October 2026
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
The ministry reiterated its call for the return of objects removed from K'nar and taken to Thailand — a long-standing request whose restatement signals Phnom Penh intends to keep pressing. Thailand has issued no public response: it has not contested Cambodia's account of the removal, set out any legal basis for retaining the objects, or given a timeline for their return.
The statement firmly and categorically rejected the repeated allegations by Thai military authorities that Cambodia used ancient temples for military purposes, describing them as unfounded claims that distort the facts, mislead the public and divert attention from the destruction inflicted on Cambodian cultural heritage by Thai armed forces. Temples, it said, are places of worship, conservation, research, education and tourism, never military bases, and Cambodia remains committed to protecting its heritage under the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1972 World Heritage Convention.
Cambodia also strongly protested the continued presence of Thai forces and unilateral activities at Tamone Thom, Ta Krabey and K'nar and other border archaeological sites, including demining operations, infrastructure and electricity-network development, and restoration and construction projects undertaken without Cambodian consent. The ministry said these raise serious concerns about respect for Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and risk prejudicing the peaceful resolution of outstanding border issues.
It recalled the extensive damage to Preah Vihear and other heritage sites during the July and December 2025 armed clashes, saying the documented loss of irreplaceable cultural property underscored the need for restraint, accountability and full respect for the conventions protecting cultural heritage — which is why, it argues, what can be returned should be.
Cambodia's requests remain on the table: cease the accusations, end unilateral activity at Cambodian heritage sites, respect Cambodian sovereignty and borders, return the objects taken from K'nar, and resolve outstanding matters through the Joint Boundary Commission. Whether Bangkok intends to answer any of them remains, for now, unknown.
Source: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Kingdom of Cambodia — statement dated 22 October 2026
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
