Preah Vihear Temple: Which UNESCO Conventions Does Thailand Violate?
By Ky Chamna Cambodianess Friday, July 25, 2025
Preah Vihear temple
PHNOM PENH – Following the Thai armed forces’ attacks using artillery shelling and aerial bombardment on July 24, severe physical damage to the Preah Vihear Temple has been reported.
In an official statement issued on July 24, Cambodia’s Culture Ministry condemned Thailand’s indiscriminate attacks against Cambodia’s cultural properties—the sacred temple listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, and an essential symbol of Khmer culture. The ministry explained that such conduct constitutes grave violations of international law.
According to the ministry, these attacks violate three conventions, which include:
The 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the 1999 Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954, and the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. What the conventions state:
Article 4 – Respect for cultural property – 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
The High Contracting Parties undertake to respect cultural property situated within their own territory as well as within the territory of other High Contracting Parties by refraining from any use of the property and its immediate surroundings or of the appliances in use for its protection for purposes which are likely to expose it to destruction or damage in the event of armed conflict; and by refraining from any act of hostility, directed against such property.
Article 7 – Precautions in attack – 1999 Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
(a) do everything feasible to verify that the objectives to be attacked are not cultural property protected under Article 4 of the Convention;
(b) take all feasible precautions in the choice of means and methods of attack with a view to avoiding, and in any event to minimizing, incidental damage to cultural property protected under Article 4 of the Convention;
(c) refrain from deciding to launch any attack which may be expected to cause incidental damage to cultural property protected under Article 4 of the Convention which would be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated; and
(d) cancel or suspend an attack if it becomes apparent.
Article 6 – 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
Each State Party to this Convention undertakes not to take any deliberate measures which might damage directly or indirectly the cultural and natural heritage referred to in Articles 1 and 2 situated on the territory of other States Parties to this Convention.
Aftermath of the Attack
As a state party to these conventions, Cambodia’s Culture Ministry notes that Thailand has a legal obligation to respect, protect, and preserve its cultural heritage. This includes refraining from any military use, attack, or actions that could jeopardize the Outstanding Universal Value of such sites.
As stated in the document, damage to cultural property belonging to any people whatsoever means damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind, since each person contributes to the culture of the world.
It also considers that the preservation of cultural heritage is of great importance to all peoples of the world and that this heritage should receive international protection.
SOURCE: Cambodianess, Cambodia, Friday, July 25, 2025
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