Statement on Cambodia strongly rejects the claims of the Thai Minister of Culture regarding Cambodian cultural heritage site
On 27 October 2026, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts issued a statement on Cambodia’s strong rejection of the claims made by the Thai Minister of Culture, H.E. Mrs. Sabeeda Thaised, on 25 October 2026.
As published in the Khaosod newspaper, the Thai Minister of Culture claimed that: (1) K’nar temple and Ta Krabey temple are located within Thai territory; (2) the Thai side has registered these temples on its national heritage list under its domestic laws, taking administrative measures to manage and conserve them accordingly; and (3) on this basis, the Thai side refuses to return the artifacts unilaterally removed from the aforementioned temple areas, under the pretext that collecting these artifacts was intended for study, maintenance, and conservation.
Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
