The Destruction of Prasat Ta Krabei Raises Serious Questions for International Law

Ta Krabei temple was reportedly damaged by Thai shelling on December 8. FB

[Opinion]

I feel compelled to address the international community regarding recent claims made by certain Thai political leaders and segments of Thai society asserting that the Ta Krabei Temple belongs to Thailand. These claims have generated public debate, but they also raise a fundamental and deeply troubling question that cannot be ignored: if the temple truly belongs to Thailand, why was it destroyed by the Thai army?

The deliberate destruction of a historic and religious site directly contradicts any assertion of sovereignty, stewardship or protection. Nations do not preserve their own cultural heritage by reducing it to rubble. Such an act demands serious scrutiny — not slogans, denial or shifting explanations.

Thai military and political authorities have offered multiple justifications for their actions. They have claimed the operation was necessary to protect Thailand’s territorial integrity and population. They have also argued that the strike was intended to weaken Cambodia’s military capabilities over the long term. At other times, they have alleged that the target involved so-called “scammer soldiers” operating from Cambodian territory.

These explanations are not only inconsistent with one another, but also incompatible with international norms. A genuine border skirmish is typically limited in scope, confined to border areas, involves small arms and is short in duration. Such incidents are usually followed by diplomatic engagement or referral to international mechanisms such as the UN.

What occurred in this case goes far beyond that definition. Reports of fighter jet deployments and deep incursions into Cambodian territory point not to a border incident, but to a serious violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Even more alarming is the destruction of an ancient cultural and religious site. This act cannot be justified under claims of self-defense, military necessity or law enforcement. It raises grave concerns under international law, including conventions dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage and the core principles of proportionality and distinction.

The shifting and contradictory narratives offered by Thai leaders and military commanders further undermine the credibility of their claims. Rather than clarifying the situation, these changing explanations suggest a troubling disregard for accountability, transparency and regional peace. Assertions that change with political convenience invite skepticism — not trust.

Cambodia does not seek escalation or hostility. What Cambodia seeks is justice, respect for international law and protection for its cultural heritage — heritage that belongs not only to Cambodians, but to humanity as a whole. The destruction of Prasat Ta Krabey is therefore not merely a bilateral dispute; it is an international concern.

I urge the international community — including historians, legal experts, diplomats and human rights organizations — to examine these events objectively and without political bias. Silence or indifference in the face of such actions risks normalising violations of sovereignty and the irreversible loss of irreplaceable cultural heritage.

History will judge not only those who carried out the destruction, but also those who chose to look away.

Tesh Chanthorn is a Cambodian citizen who longs for peace. The views and opinions expressed are his own.

-The Phnom Penh Post-