The Royal Thai Army has warned Cambodia against using cultural heritage sites as military bases, saying such actions violate the Hague Convention, according to army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree on Thursday.
The warning followed statements from Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts accusing Thailand of carrying out military operations that allegedly caused damage to the Ta Khwai and Preah Vihear temples along the border.
Maj Gen Winthai said Thailand continues to adhere to the 1954 Hague Convention, which requires the protection of cultural heritage sites and prohibits attacks or activities that could result in damage to them.
“In this instance, Cambodia deliberately used these heritage sites as military bases, establishing surveillance and strategic positions to target Thai forces,” he said.
“Therefore, it is Cambodia, not Thailand, that is violating humanitarian and international conventions, as well as showing disregard for cultural heritage,” he said.
He said Thailand has the right under international law to neutralise such threats in a proportionate and necessary manner, adding that Cambodia’s actions had forced the situation.
Unesco has also raised concerns over renewed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia, warning that the escalating border conflict is placing cultural heritage sites in the area at risk, particularly the Preah Vihear temple, which is listed as a World Heritage site.
The United Nations cultural agency said it is prepared to provide technical assistance and emergency measures to protect cultural property “as soon as conditions allow”.
Separately, Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised said on Thursday that while ancient monuments must be protected, national sovereignty must take precedence.
She said the permanent secretary of the Culture Ministry and the director-general of the Fine Arts Department had already discussed the matter.
Armed clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border continued into a fifth day on Thursday. According to the latest figures from the Thai armed forces, three civilians and nine soldiers have been killed since the most recent clashes erupted.
About 200,000 residents have been evacuated from high-risk areas as fighting continues.
The Second Army Region released a summary of operations conducted along the Thai-Cambodian border between December 7 and December 11.
According to the report, an estimated 102 Cambodian soldiers were killed, six T-55 tanks were destroyed in Phanom Prasittho, one BM-21 multiple rocket launcher was destroyed, 64 drones were neutralised and one anti-drone system was destroyed.
Lt Col Thitiphong Fuangchan, assistant spokesman for the Operations Centre of the Second Army Region, summarised key developments as of 9am yesterday.
He said that at 10:42pm on Wednesday, Cambodian forces opened fire on Thai positions using artillery and mortars, and deployed unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct surveillance over several strategic locations, including Chong Bok, Chong Sa-ngam, Chong An Ma, Prasat Khna, Prasat Ta Khwai and the Preah Vihear temple.
Thai forces responded by using artillery and mortars to strike high-value military targets belonging to opposing forces.
Thai troops also secured the Chong Rayi–Plot Tang area in Kap Choeng district of Surin province to prevent a possible counterattack.
