(Phnom Penh): At the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Paris, France on 10 July 2025, Phoeurng Sackona, Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, request UNESCO and its advisory bodies to examine the construction of a large-scale replica of the Angkor Wat temple in Buriram Province, Thailand.

“Cambodia wishes to express its sincere appreciation for your continued commitment to the protection of World Heritage, in particular the Angkor Wat temple, which has been inscribed on the World Heritage List since 1992 and as an emblem of our national identity,” according to a letter seen by Fresh News on Friday (Jul. 11).

“Today, we wish to express our deep concern regarding the construction of a large-scale replica of the Angkor Wat temple in Buriram Province, Thailand. This project has been undertaken without any prior consultation or regard for the ethical principles related to our culture. It seriously undermines the integrity, authenticity, and Outstanding Universal Value of this iconic site.

Despite Cambodia's efforts, construction continues. Such a situation risks setting a deeply troubling precedent for all World Heritage sites.

We therefore request UNESCO and its advisory bodies to examine this matter with the utmost attention.

Thank you for your attention.”
=FRESH NEWS