Ta Muen Thom in Thai territory, cyclists' visit pre-informed - Thai army

The Ta Muen Thom temple is located within Thai sovereign territory, and the Thai Army had informed their Cambodian counterparts in advance regarding a group of Thai cyclists visiting the site on Sunday morning, Thai Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said.

All actions were taken in accordance with standard procedures and did not violate any agreements,

Cambodia’s claim that Thai military officers led the cyclists into the area without prior notice and before the official opening time may have stemmed from internal miscommunication between Cambodia’s central government and its local military units, he added.

The spokesman was responding to concerns raised by Cambodia’s Defense Ministry over a Thai cycling event that took place yesterday morning near the Ta Muen Thom temple complex in Surin province.

The cycling activity was part of a local tourism promotion campaign titled “Ride Between Two Temples, Taste the Durian of Muang Chang @Phanom Dong Rak 2025,” organized by the Surin Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports, Winthai said.

At around 7.30am on Sunday morning, approximately 150 cyclists departed from Bak Dai sub-district and made a scheduled stop at Ta Muen Thom temple, as part of a pre-approved route.

Winthai noted that Thai officials from the temple coordination team had informed their Cambodian counterparts about the visit.

They were told in advance that the cyclists would arrive at 7.30am, which is two hours before regular visiting hours.

Cambodian liaison officers were also present during the visit and showed no signs of objection or dissatisfaction, he said.

Maj Gen Winthai reiterated that the Ta Muen Thom temple is located within Thai sovereign territory and that all actions taken complied with standard procedures and existing agreements.

Ta Muen Thom is among four temple sites that Cambodia has proposed for World Court arbitration over ownership.

However, Thailand maintains that the temple is situated within Surin’s Phanom Dong Rak district. It was registered as a Thai ancient monument on March 8, 1935.

Following the visit to Ta Muen Thom, the cyclists continued to Ta Muen Khwai temple, which is also one of the four disputed sites Cambodia has submitted to the World Court.