Phnom penh: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia has categorically rejected allegations attributed to Thailand's top diplomat, as reported by Thai media, claiming that Cambodia has used the Temple of Preah Vihear as a military station.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Ministry's spokesperson issued a statement on Friday reaffirming that the Temple of Preah Vihear is a sacred cultural and religious monument of Outstanding Universal Value and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The spokesperson emphasized that the Temple has never been designated, developed, or used for military purposes.

The statement highlighted Cambodia's obligations as a State Party to the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1972 World Heritage Convention, asserting the country's firm commitment to protecting and preserving the Temple and cultural property exclusively for peaceful, cultural, and religious functions.

The spokesperson clarified that the presence of Cambodian security guards at the site is solely for the protection of cultural heritage and the safeguarding of Cambodia's sovereignty. This protective presence, the statement noted, should not be interpreted as military use of the Temple. The administration of the site remains under the jurisdiction of competent civilian heritage institutions, with security arrangements strictly limited to protective measures necessary to safeguard the site.

The Ministry cautioned that characterizing the Temple of Preah Vihear as a military station disregards established legal realities, undermines international judicial authority, and poses risks to regional peace. It reiterated Cambodia's unwavering commitment to international law, the protection of cultural heritage, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and cooperative engagement within ASEAN and the broader international community.

The spokesperson concluded by reaffirming that the Temple of Preah Vihear is, and will remain, a monument of peace, culture, and shared human heritage, not a site for military purposes, and emphasized that the protection of World Heritage Sites is a collective responsibility of the international community.