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South China Morning Post
25-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Angkor Wat in Thailand? Cambodia resurrects cultural theft claims amid border clashes
As Thailand and Cambodia remain locked in a border dispute, another conflict has erupted – this time on the cultural stage, with Cambodia condemning a Thai temple for copying the design of its world-renowned Angkor Wat. Accusations against Wat Phu Man Fa in Buri Ram province, a region that borders Cambodia in northeast Thailand, have been levelled since the construction of the 100-million-baht (US$3 million) temple began in 2020. But now, they have escalated to the national level. Cambodia's Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona voiced objections to the grand Sihanakhon temple complex within the 32-hectare (79-acre) Wat Phu Man Fa on Thursday, saying it 'undermines the outstanding universal value and authenticity of Angkor Wat'. Angkor Wat, a Unesco World Heritage site, is renowned for its intricately carved ancient stone temples dating back to the 12th century. Tourists visit the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province. Photo: AFP 'The replication of Angkor Wat's architectural blueprint in the construction of Sihanakhon is a blatant infringement upon Cambodia's national identity and cultural soul,' she said during a national meeting on historical sites preservation, according to Thai Public Boardcasting Service.
South China Morning Post
22-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Thailand, Cambodia shut border crossings amid turmoil in Bangkok
Thailand and Cambodia shut several border crossings in tit-for-tat moves, ratcheting up tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra fights to save her government from a political crisis triggered by a leaked phone call over the weeks-long stand-off. The closure of a border crossing in northeastern Buri Ram province was effective from June 21, according to an order by the Thai army late on Saturday. Cambodia then retaliated with the permanent shutdown of the same passage as well as another checkpoint, according to Cambodian leader Hun Manet, who criticised the Thai army's move. The Thai army said it was its prerogative to restrict border movements to protect the country's sovereignty for national security reasons, as it's done since June 7. Relations between the two countries were tense after troops exchanged fire on May 28 in the disputed Chong Bok border area, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Both countries have massed troops along the frontier and closed or shortened the operational hours of several land crossings that act as vital trade links. Cambodia has sought to get the International Court of Justice in The Hague to help settle land disputes in Chong Bok and three other border areas with Thailand. That has angered Bangkok, which has said it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (centre) with 2nd Army Region Commander Boonsin Padklang (left) as she meets with military personnel during a visit to Morakot Operation Base, in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand, on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE There was no need for any bilateral agreement on reopening border checkpoints, Hun Manet said in a statement on Sunday. Thailand needs to lift all restrictions first and Cambodia will do the same within five hours, he said. Support from coalition partners
Bloomberg
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Thailand, Cambodia Shut Land Crossings in Escalating Border Spat
Thailand and Cambodia shut several border crossings in tit-for-tat moves, ratcheting up tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbors as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra fights to save her government from a political crisis triggered by a leaked phone call over the weekslong standoff. The closure of a border crossing in northeastern Buri Ram province was effective from June 21, according to an order by the Thai army late Saturday. Cambodia then retaliated with the permanent shutdown of the same passage as well as another checkpoint, according to Cambodian leader Hun Manet, who criticized the Thai army's move.
