AKP Phnom Penh, July 07, 2026 --

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has reaffirmed the Royal Government's commitment to restoring and preserving Preah Vihear Temple following the extensive damage it sustained during armed clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border in late 2025.

In a message marking the 18th anniversary of the temple's inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List (July 7, 2008 – July 7, 2026), the Prime Minister said the government continues to prioritise the conservation and rehabilitation of the ancient monument, describing the restoration effort as a way to transform a painful chapter into a symbol of Cambodia's resilience and unity.

Samdech Thipadei expressed profound regret over the destruction caused during the armed confrontations in July and December 2025, which severely damaged 562 parts of the temple and undermined nearly two decades of conservation work.

He described the destruction as a major loss not only for Cambodia but also for the cultural heritage of humanity.

The Prime Minister said the Royal Government has taken a series of urgent measures in cooperation with UNESCO, the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Preah Vihear (ICC-Preah Vihear), and national and international partners. These include assessing the extent of the damage, requesting international experts to conduct technical evaluations, clearing unexploded ordnance and cluster munition remnants, stabilising damaged structures to prevent further collapse, and collecting and preserving fallen stone fragments scattered across the temple complex.

He stressed that Cambodia will continue to give top priority to restoring and conserving the World Heritage site while strengthening cooperation with international partners to safeguard the monument for future generations.

The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the Royal Government's unwavering determination to defend Cambodia's territorial integrity and protect Preah Vihear Temple and other heritage sites along the border.

Samech Thipadei also paid tribute to generations of Cambodians who have protected the temple, highlighting the contributions of the late King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk in securing the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling affirming Cambodia's sovereignty over the temple, as well as the leadership of former Prime Minister and current Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and the late Deputy Prime Minister Samdech Vibol Panha Sok An in achieving its World Heritage inscription in 2008.

The Prime Minister concluded by calling on all Cambodians to uphold the spirit of Preah Vihear as a symbol of national unity, resilience, and the shared responsibility to preserve the Kingdom's cultural heritage.

By C. Nika