THE 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple, perched atop a 525-metre cliff in the Dangrek mountain range, has sustained extensive structural damage following two major bouts of fighting last year between Cambodia and Thailand.
The Independent cited today that the temple, once renowned for its intricate carvings and sweeping views across the Cambodian plains, the site is now littered with debris, cratered by shelling and scarred by burnt vegetation.
The temple, built during the Khmer Empire and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, remains closed to visitors due to safety concerns, including unstable structures and unexploded ordnance.
“The temple has turned quiet, and its beauty looks so sorrowful because of the tragedy,” said Hem Sinath, archaeologist and deputy director-general of Cambodia’s National Authority for Preah Vihear.
Damage assessments by Cambodia’s Culture Ministry indicate that all five gateway pavilions have been hit, with three almost completely destroyed.
An ancient northern staircase, previously restored under a United States-funded conservation effort, has also suffered repeated bombardment.
A ministry statement reported 142 instances of damage during clashes in July and a further 420 during heavier fighting in December, raising fears that weakened structures may not withstand the upcoming monsoon season.
“Experts have predicted that during the upcoming rainy season, some structures on the verge of collapsing could finally fall,” Hem Sinath said.
The temple remains heavily restricted, with sections cordoned off and marked by warnings of land mines, a lingering hazard from Cambodia’s decades-long civil war. Conservation workers and security personnel continue to operate on site, while Thai forces remain visible across the contested border.
Cambodian officials have accused Thailand of deliberately targeting the historic monument. Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said the attacks were unjustified and based on misinformation.
“Preah Vihear temple belongs to all humankind. It is not an enemy of Thailand,” he said.
Thailand, however, maintains that its military actions were directed solely at legitimate targets, alleging that Cambodian forces had militarised the temple by installing weapons systems and surveillance equipment.
Cambodian authorities deny the claim, insisting the site has remained under civilian control, with security forces present only to protect the heritage landmark.
The dispute over the temple dates back decades. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple and its immediate surroundings belong to Cambodia, a decision reaffirmed in 2013. Despite this, tensions have periodically flared, often fuelled by nationalist sentiment on both sides.
The latest conflict has had a significant humanitarian impact, with Cambodia reporting more than 640,000 people displaced during the fighting, and tens of thousands yet to return home.
Efforts to restore the temple face mounting challenges. Previous conservation initiatives involving countries such as India, China and the United States have been suspended due to the renewed hostilities.
Hem Sinath said urgent repairs are needed to prevent further deterioration, but progress remains dependent on the fragile security situation.
“We have a plan; we want to do a repair – the sooner the better, but as you see, it depends on the situation along the border,” he said. - March 24, 2026
