Following the clashes between Cambodian-Thai troops near Preah Vihear temple on October 15 by leaving three Cambodian and one Thai troop dead and more injured, the ancient Preah Vihear temple had been damaged by rocket during skirmish.
Meanwhile, Cambodia complained to UNESCO about the damage of a staircase and a sculpture done by Thai rockets to the ancient temple during the fighting, which was recognized by the World Heritage Committee held in Quebec.
In the statement on Monday, Thai foreign ministry denied Cambodia claims that Thai solders had damaged the temple with rocket fire. And that Thai troops only used only fired rifles by accusing Cambodian troops of firing rockets during the clashes.
Preah Vihear temple was recognized by the 21 member World Heritage Committee and related organizations on July 2, during the meeting in Canada. Therefore, the damage was done by troop standoff, UNESCO has obligation to preserve and take care of the temple and find justice for Cambodia.
What Thailand rejected the damage is opposite to the truth, because Thai troops have entered into Cambodia soil since mid-July. And Cambodian solders have been protecting temple from occupying by Thai soldiers. Fighting between the both sides is that Thai troops opened fire over the Cambodian soil, where Cambodian troops were stationed at around the temple. And Thailand is the part of the responsibility for the damage of Cambodian temple during the skirmish.
The 900-year-old Hindu temple had been awarded by the International Court of Justice to be on Cambodia side of the border in the 1962 but easy access can only be made from Thailand.
In January 2003, Cambodian mobs went on rampages, burning the Thai embassy and destroying Thai-owned business around the capital of Phnom Penh, fueled by false rumors that a Thai pop starlet had claimed that Angkor Wat temple, which is one of the most important symbols in Cambodian society, belonged to Thailand.
It’s good to hear that UNESCO is seeking to restore Preah Vihear temple. I strongly believe that with UNESCO present at the temple, the border tension would also reduce.