Cambodia appealed to foreign media, pointing out damage to the Preah Vihear Temple after border clashes, alleging that bullet and bomb traces were from Thai soldiers aiming to shell this world heritage site.
Cambodia took France's AFP news agency to inspect the damage at Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, following weeks of military clashes with Thailand. They claimed the ancient site, over a thousand years old, was covered with bomb fragments and artillery shell marks after the Thai military used heavy weapons to attack this sacred area.
AFP was the first foreign media granted access to Preah Vihear Temple since the fighting ended, finding sandstone fragments scattered throughout. The sandstone structure, built since the 11th century, was covered with fresh bullet holes and bomb shrapnel.
Preah Vihear Temple, located on a high cliff overlooking northern Cambodia's plains and regarded as a pinnacle of Khmer architecture, became a battlefield after the long-standing border dispute erupted into full-scale fighting last year involving fighter jets, artillery, tanks, and ground forces.
The clashes resulted in dozens of deaths and forced over a million people to evacuate before both countries agreed to a ceasefire in December.
Ae Darith, director of conservation and archaeology of the Preah Vihear Temple Authority who led the media visit, said most damage was caused by Thai army artillery and air strikes. He stated that fighting in December alone caused damage to 420 spots on the temple, with an additional 142 spots damaged during the July clashes.
Cambodia plans to consult UNESCO to establish restoration plans, which will require considerable time and funding. UNESCO had announced in January it would send experts to assess damage after Cambodia's government requested assistance.
Preah Vihear Temple, designated as a World Heritage site in 2008, has been a major point of contention. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 that Cambodia has sovereignty over the temple and in 2013 over the surrounding area, but Thailand does not recognize the court's jurisdiction.
The area near the temple saw clashes in 2008 and intermittent violence over subsequent years, resulting in dozens of deaths.
Hem Sinath, deputy director of the Preah Vihear Authority, said some damage is irreparable and may have to be preserved as historical evidence showing damage from Thai attacks.
Last December, Thai authorities alleged Cambodia used Preah Vihear Temple as a military base, leading to loss of its protected status under international law. However, Cambodian police stationed there blamed Thailand for heavy shelling that caused widespread damage and claimed Thailand intended to destroy the temple.
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