(Phnom Penh): The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia strongly protested and firmly rejected the decision of Thailand’s Fine Arts Department to register the Tamone Temple Complex, Ta Krabey Temple, K’nar Temple, and other archaeological sites situated along the border and under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Thailand’s national register of ancient monuments, according to a statement seen by Fresh News on Wednesday (May 13).

The ministry said such unilateral action is illegal, null, and without legal effect. Such registration is entirely baseless and cannot in any way serve as evidence for territorial sovereignty or as an instrument for border delimitation. The question of sovereignty and boundary demarcation between Cambodia and Thailand must be resolved strictly in accordance with international law, including the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 and its related instruments, as well as through established bilateral mechanisms, notably the Memorandum of Understanding of 2000 (MoU 2000), the Terms of Reference of 2003 (TOR 2003), and the mandate of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

The ministry considered this registration an unlawful attempt to create an artificial legal appearance over cultural sites situated within the sovereign territory of Cambodia. Such action constitutes a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and undermines the spirit of peaceful dialogue and mutual respect between the two countries.

The ministry called upon the Royal Thai Government to immediately withdraw this unlawful registration and to refrain from any unilateral actions that undermine Cambodia’s efforts toward a peaceful settlement through bilateral mechanisms.

The ministry also reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues in full respect of international law and established bilateral mechanisms.
=FRESH NEWS