Phnom penh: The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia has firmly rejected the baseless and arrogant claims made by certain Thai media, military personnel, and civilians who assert that Ta Krabei Temple lies within Thailand’s sovereignty.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the ministry emphasized that these claims are a distortion and complete misrepresentation of reality. The Thai side has relied on unilateral maps that hold no legal value under international law, as underlined in the ministry’s statement made public tonight.
Cambodia reaffirms that Ta Krabei Temple, located geographically on Dang Rek Mountain, in Monorom Senchey village, Kok Khpos commune, Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, lies entirely within Cambodian territory and sovereignty. This position is based on legally recognized maps acknowledged by the international community.
The Ministry of National Defence stressed the need for Thailand to cooperate with Cambodia in bringing the cases of Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Ta
uch Temple, Ta Krabei Temple, and the Three-Point Border Area (Mom Bei) before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to definitively determine the ownership of Ta Krabei Temple.
Furthermore, the statement continued, Thai soldiers have prohibited Cambodian civilians from using Krama (Cambodian traditional scarves) with Cambodian national flag stitch on, while simultaneously allowing Thai citizens to wear clothing and accessories displaying the Thai flag openly. Such actions violate previously agreed bilateral arrangements.
Cambodian citizens have every right to wear attire and use items bearing the Cambodian national flag when visiting Ta Krabei Temple, as doing so does not breach any mutual agreements, the statement emphasized.
According to the ministry, a Thai tourist reportedly reacted aggressively and attempted to use violence against a Cambodian tourist who was calmly and logically explaining that Ta Krabei Temple lies fully within Cambodian territory and simply questioned why Thai citizens could di
splay their flag while Cambodians were being restricted.
‘Cambodia remains fully committed to honoring the bilateral agreements in a strict and responsible manner as a good neighbor. Thailand must also adhere to these agreed-upon terms in a consistent and disciplined way to avoid creating tension or incidents that neither side wishes to see,’ concluded the statement.