03/01/2026
Damage to Preah Vihear Temple: A Loss of Humanity’s Heritage
Preah Vihear Temple, a World Heritage Site inscribed by UNESCO in 2008, is suffering severe damage. According to assessments, the temple’s foundation and core structures have been destabilised and face the risk of collapse due to deliberate and systematic artillery shelling by Thai forces.
These military actions are not accidental, but involve the targeted bombardment of key areas stretching up to 850 metres. Such acts constitute a serious violation of the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention and the 1954 Hague Convention, which strictly prohibit the targeting of cultural property during armed conflict.
This destruction is not only an infringement on Cambodia’s sovereignty, but also an irreparable loss of shared global cultural heritage.
Source: Royal University of Fine Arts
