Cambodia's Ministry of Culture has disclosed a damage assessment report on Preah Vihear Temple and its surrounding area, submitting it to UNESCO and international organizations to request urgent protection.
On 13 Jan 2025 GMT+7, Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts issued a statement detailing damage to Preah Vihear Temple and its vicinity, which Cambodia attributes to artillery attacks by the Thai military during 24–28 July and 7–27 December 2025 GMT+7. The damage assessment report was sent to UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee, ICC–Preah Vihear member states, and the international community to inform them of the situation.
Cambodia's report states that 142 damage points were found within the Preah Vihear Temple complex and 42 in the surrounding area, including the Kaew Sika Kiri Swara temple, public utility structures, and the office building of the National Preah Vihear Temple Management Authority. This damage reportedly occurred in late July 2025 GMT+7. Additionally, 60 points of damage were recorded in nearby communities, forcing 14,832 people to evacuate their homes. Official damage documentation began in October.
Regarding the damage during 7–27 December, the ministry said it was significantly more severe than the earlier period. Evidence from photos and videos collected on 28 December showed that the main architectural structures of the temple, including the gopuras, all connecting corridors, and the ancient northern stairway, sustained heavy damage. Cambodia claims these were caused by repeated artillery fire as well as aerial attacks involving drones and fighter jets targeting the World Heritage site directly.
Meanwhile, Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has called on international organizations and the global community to support urgent measures to protect Preah Vihear Temple from further attacks, back emergency conservation, and restoration efforts. It also emphasized the need for all parties to respect international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1999 Protocol, which require state parties to safeguard world-renowned cultural heritage.
Source: Freshnews