Thailand slams Cambodia’s Angkor Wat claim at UNESCO as politically influenced

Thailand has rebuffed Cambodia’s claims, raised during a UNESCO World Heritage session in Paris, that a temple in Buri Ram province replicates the world-famous Angkor Wat, calling them politically motivated.

Leader of the Thai delegation, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said Thailand is surprised and disappointed by Cambodia’s accusation that the Phu Man Fah Temple is a copy of Angkor.

He added that raising such claims was inappropriate at a forum like the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

The move by Cambodia comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries over overlapping territorial claims.

“Although Thailand initially had no intention of engaging in confrontation, it found it necessary to rebut Cambodia’s allegation.”

“The Phu Man Fah Temple is a Buddhist temple inspired by traditional Buddhist architectural styles from various ancient Thai sites. It is not a replica of the one at Angkor Wat,” Sihasak insisted.

Earlier Cambodia’s Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Phoeurng Sackona, called on UNESCO to examine the temple in Thailand’s Buri Ram province, describing it as “a threat to the integrity and authenticity of Angkor Temple’s universal value.”

“Today, we wish to express our deep concern regarding the construction of a large-scale replica of the Angkor Temple in Buri Ram province, Thailand,” she told the audience.

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

Sihasak noted that Thailand remains open to dialogue with Cambodia on this and related issues, in a spirit of good neighbourliness, especially since the two countries’ leaders have agreed to set up a joint working group to address such matters.

Following Thailand’s rebuttal, the Cambodian delegation attempted another intervention, but it was denied because the statement they intended to deliver did not align with prior consultations with the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee and the World Heritage Centre.

It is also reported that Cambodia engaged in behind-the-scenes efforts to lobby other national delegations.

Its attempts to bring the issue before UNESCO and the Committee received no support though. Many member states agreed the matter should be addressed through bilateral dialogue, rather than on the international heritage stage.

Phoeurng’s claims also contradict a declaration, issued by her own ministry in 2023, which stated that the Thai temple was not a replica of Angkor and did not imitate the Cambodian site.

According to the Phnom Penh Post on October 1st, 2023, that conclusion came after ministry experts inspected the site and confirmed that no violations had occurred. Sackona has served as minister since 2013.