Cambodia to seek legal action over Thai shelling of Preah Vihear
Cambodia to seek legal action over Thai shelling of Preah Vihear
Synopsis: Preah Vihear National Authority director-general says a full damage assessment is pending due to the presence of unexploded ordnance and cluster munitions at the site.
Following the Thai army’s incursion into Cambodian territory and the resulting destruction and severe damage to the World Heritage-listed Preah Vihear Temple on Thursday, a senior official confirmed that Cambodia will submit a report on the temple’s structural damage to UNESCO and file a complaint with the international court once a detailed assessment is completed.
Kong Puthikar, Director-General of the Preah Vihear National Authority, said yesterday that although a ceasefire is now in effect, expert teams have not yet been able to conduct a thorough assessment of the temple’s damage. This is due to the presence of numerous unexploded ordnance (UXOs) and cluster munitions around the temple grounds, which must be cleared before a full evaluation can take place.
Initial assessments suggest damage to key areas including Poy Tadi, a steep cliff in the Dangrek Mountain range, as well as Gopura 1, 2, 3, and 5, the northern staircase, and surrounding areas near the temple. However, Puthikar added that a detailed study has yet to be conducted.
“We have not received any information from UNESCO so far, but ensuring the safety of Preah Vihear Temple is our priority,” he said. “We will deploy our expert team, along with UNESCO experts, to assess the full extent of the damage.”
He added, “Once the damage has been thoroughly studied and assessed, we will submit a formal report to UNESCO and share it with other organisations responsible for World Heritage protection.
We are also preparing to file this documentation with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for legal review.”
Preah Vihear Temple, situated in the Dangrek Mountains in Choam Ksan district of Preah Vihear province, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 7, 2008, and is managed by the Preah Vihear National Authority.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has accused Thailand of violating Cambodia’s sovereignty by shelling the temple on Sunday, resulting in severe damage and posing unprecedented risks.
The ministry stated that the attacks not only infringed on Cambodian sovereignty but also endangered cultural heritage of global importance. The deliberate targeting of Preah Vihear Temple constitutes a grave breach of international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the 1999 Second Protocol to the Hague Convention, and the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention—all of which Thailand is a State Party to.
Furthermore, Thailand is a member of the International Coordinating Committee for the Conservation and Presentation of Preah Vihear Temple (ICC-Preah Vihear), established under UNESCO Executive Committee Decision in 2014.
The Ministry of Culture affirmed its commitment to documenting all acts of destruction and will pursue legal action at the International Criminal Court and other relevant international institutions to seek justice and reparations.
