Cambodia calls for UNESCO probe into Thailand’s Angkor Wat replica

Cambodia on Wednesday requested UNESCO to examine Thailand’s reproduction of the world-famous Angkor Wat Temple at a local temple in the Thai northeastern province of Buriram, describing it as a threat to the integrity and authenticity of the iconic site's universal value, according to Cambodia media.

“Today, we wish to express our deep concern regarding the construction of a large-scale replica of the Angkor Wat temple in Buri Ram Province, Thailand,” said Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona.

She was speaking at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, currently underway at the headquarters of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Paris.

News website the Cambodianess quoted the minister as saying that the project at Wat Phu Man Fah in Buri Ram was launched without prior consultation with Cambodia.

“It seriously undermines the integrity, authenticity, and outstanding universal value of this iconic site,” she said.

She said despite Cambodia’s diplomatic efforts, construction of the replica has continued and which would risk “setting a deeply troubling precedent for all World Heritage sites.”

“We therefore request UNESCO and its advisory bodies to examine this matter with the utmost attention,” she said.

The move by Cambodia came as the two countries are locked in a worsening conflict over overlapping territorial claims.

She stressed that the construction of the Siha Nakhon temple violates the 1972 World Heritage Convention, to which both Thailand and Cambodia are signatories.

Sackona also deemed the act a violation and a deep cultural affront to Cambodia’s identity, heritage, and the soul of its Khmer ancestors.

The Buri Ram temple has been the subject of controversy in the years since Cambodian netizens began to claim that it imitates Angkor Wat and called on Cambodian authorities to investigate the matter.