National
• 1 hour ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
H.E Heng Ratana: 7 Million Cluster Bombs, 350,000 Cambodians Affected — and a Temple Still Standing
PHNOM PENH — Sept. 29, 2026: H.E. Heng Ratana has laid out the human and physical toll of Thailand's use of cluster munitions on Cambodian territory, as heritage experts work to shore up Preah Vihear Temple, scarred by the 2025 border conflict.
Speaking on the declaration issued by the Third Review Conference on the Implementation of the International Convention on the Ban of Cluster Munitions in Vientiane, Laos, H.E. Heng Ratana noted that it condemns the use of cluster munitions by any actor, in any circumstance and in any form.
He said approximately 6 to 7 million M42, M46 and M85 munitions were used by Thai forces against Cambodian territory, military and police personnel, and civilian targets. The impact covered 349 villages — 335 fully researched — across nearly 300,000 hectares, affecting more than 90,000 families, or over 350,000 people. Schools, hospitals, health centres, pagodas, rice fields, farms, homes and civilian infrastructure were also severely damaged.
ប្រភព និងរូបភាព៖ ទំព័រហ្វេសប៊ុក អាជ្ញាធរជាតិព្រះវិហារ National Authority for Preah Vihear
H.E. Heng Ratana described the use of the weapons as a genuine violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law, and called for full respect for the Vientiane declaration's obligations.
Days later, ICC-Angkor experts carried out a two-day inspection of conservation work at Koh Ker and Preah Vihear. On Sept. 27, they assessed progress at Koh Ker, including Prasat Khnar, Prasat Kok Krong, Prasat Krochab, Prasat Prallung Tbong, Prasat Kraham and Prasat Pram, and reviewed visitor routes.
On the morning of Sept. 28, the delegation moved to Preah Vihear Temple to examine emergency conservation work from Poy Tadi and the First through Fifth Gopura, damaged in the 2025 conflict, and to review the drainage system designed to channel water from the temple. Experts offered further guidance on high-risk structures already braced by National Authority for Preah Vihear technicians, and on other locations requiring continued support.
Source: H.E. Heng Ratana
National Authority for Preah Vihear
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
Speaking on the declaration issued by the Third Review Conference on the Implementation of the International Convention on the Ban of Cluster Munitions in Vientiane, Laos, H.E. Heng Ratana noted that it condemns the use of cluster munitions by any actor, in any circumstance and in any form.
He said approximately 6 to 7 million M42, M46 and M85 munitions were used by Thai forces against Cambodian territory, military and police personnel, and civilian targets. The impact covered 349 villages — 335 fully researched — across nearly 300,000 hectares, affecting more than 90,000 families, or over 350,000 people. Schools, hospitals, health centres, pagodas, rice fields, farms, homes and civilian infrastructure were also severely damaged.
ប្រភព និងរូបភាព៖ ទំព័រហ្វេសប៊ុក អាជ្ញាធរជាតិព្រះវិហារ National Authority for Preah VihearH.E. Heng Ratana described the use of the weapons as a genuine violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law, and called for full respect for the Vientiane declaration's obligations.
Days later, ICC-Angkor experts carried out a two-day inspection of conservation work at Koh Ker and Preah Vihear. On Sept. 27, they assessed progress at Koh Ker, including Prasat Khnar, Prasat Kok Krong, Prasat Krochab, Prasat Prallung Tbong, Prasat Kraham and Prasat Pram, and reviewed visitor routes.
On the morning of Sept. 28, the delegation moved to Preah Vihear Temple to examine emergency conservation work from Poy Tadi and the First through Fifth Gopura, damaged in the 2025 conflict, and to review the drainage system designed to channel water from the temple. Experts offered further guidance on high-risk structures already braced by National Authority for Preah Vihear technicians, and on other locations requiring continued support.
Source: H.E. Heng Ratana
National Authority for Preah Vihear
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
