Cambodia protests alleged Thai border construction near heritage sites

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 13, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has lodged formal protests against what it described as unlawful construction activities by Thai armed forces along disputed sections of the border, including areas near the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear Temple, officials said Friday.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai military personnel and civilians carried out construction and excavation work between February 23 and 25 on the temple promontory, building a guard post and a road leading towards Keo Sikha Kiri Svarak Pagoda.

The ministry said the activities disregarded International Court of Justice rulings in 1962 and 2013 affirming Cambodian sovereignty over the site.

Cambodia also accused Thai forces and monks of continuing construction of a large Buddha statue in Preah Vihear province despite requests to halt the project, and reported permanent infrastructure works near Ta Krabey Temple, including concrete roads, stairways and religious statues.

Similar developments were alleged in Oddar Meanchey province, where Cambodian officials said Thai forces had erected structures and built roads in disputed areas.

MFAIC said the activities violated Article 5 of the 2000 memorandum on border demarcation, which prohibits altering physical conditions in contested areas or obstructing the work of the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Boundary Commission.

It added that the actions ran counter to the spirit of the joint statement issued after the December 2025 ceasefire.

Cambodia called on Thailand to halt the works and respect bilateral agreements. The ministry stressed that Cambodia remains committed to resolving disputes peacefully under international law, maintaining that international borders cannot be altered through force or unilateral actions.