In its statement, UNESCO emphasized the urgent need to protect cultural heritage in “all its forms” and reminded both countries of their responsibilities under the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1972 World Heritage Convention. “UNESCO will continue to observe the status of cultural heritage in the region, aiming to ensure its protection,” it stated, indicating its readiness to provide technical assistance and emergency safeguarding measures “as soon as conditions permit”.
Tensions escalated on December 10 with reports of artillery and rocket strikes along the border, with each nation accusing the other of civilian targeting. This escalation follows earlier incidents in May, when a landmine explosion resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier and injuries to Thai troops, leading to months of cross-border violence that resulted in at least nine civilian fatalities by July 2025. Although a ceasefire was negotiated during the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the recent confrontations suggest that the truce has broken down.
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On December 10, Cambodia’s Defence Ministry accused Thai F-16 aircraft of dropping bombs on five provinces, describing the strikes as a grave violation of international humanitarian law. Officials reported that Cambodian forces maintained defensive positions while fending off Thai advances. Cambodia’s Ministry of the Interior highlighted extensive damage to homes, schools, roads, pagodas, and historical sites from “Thailand’s intensified shelling and F-16 air strikes targeting villages and civilian population centres up to 30km inside Cambodian territory.”
The statement added: “It should be noted that … these brutal acts of aggression by the Thai military indiscriminately targeted civilian areas, particularly schools, and further damaged Ta Krabey and Preah Vihear temples, which are significant cultural sites of Cambodia and world heritage.”
According to the Bangkok Post, Thailand’s Ministry of Defence reported nine soldiers killed and 120 injured after five consecutive days of conflict. Cambodian officials stated there were 10 civilian deaths and around 60 severe injuries, while military casualties have not been disclosed; unverified reports indicate that at least eight Cambodian soldiers may have lost their lives.
President Trump informed journalists that he intended to engage with leaders from both nations to urge an immediate end to hostilities. “They’ve been fighting for a very long time, many, many, many decades,” he remarked. “But I got along great with both. They are two excellent leaders, and I resolved it once before. I believe I can do it rather swiftly. I think I can get them to cease fighting. Who else can achieve that? Just think about it.”
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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated on Facebook that he has been in contact with both prime ministers, but cautioned that “no complete resolution has yet been reached”. He emphasized that Malaysia will continue to advocate for peaceful dialogue based on international law and regional collaboration.
Constructed in the 11th and 12th centuries during the Khmer Empire, Preah Vihear, along with the nearby Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple, has long been a source of territorial disputes. The conflict originates from a 1907 map created by colonial-era France, positioning the temple within Cambodian territory, a conclusion supported by the International Court of Justice in 1962 and reaffirmed in 2013.
Despite these rulings, the border along the 800-kilometre frontier remains contentious, with the latest violence underscoring the instability surrounding these ancient Hindu sites.
