Report Thai Army Confirms Cambodian Tourists' Visit to Disputed Temple

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Thai Newsroom

 

This morning, the Thai army confirmed that a group of Cambodian tourists visited Prasat Ta Khwai temple in Surin province. This visit comes amid tensions following Cambodia's filing of a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice over this and two other disputed temples, along with the Mombei area.

 

On June 18, around 30 Cambodian tourists, escorted by soldiers, arrived at the temple where they sang a song and captured photos and videos. This act contravened an existing agreement between Thailand and Cambodia that prohibits symbolic expressions at the Prasat Ta Khwai, Prasat Ta Muen Thom, and Prasat Ta Muen Tot temples.

 

Thai soldiers intervened politely, reminding the tourists of the agreement and requesting their cooperation. The tourists complied and departed the site after approximately 20 minutes.

 

The intervention was managed smoothly, adhering to the bilateral guidelines, which permit unarmed officers to support visitors to the temple.

 

Earlier this year, a confrontation occurred at Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple when a Thai guide clashed with Cambodian soldiers after a video of Cambodians singing their national anthem at the temple went viral.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-06-20

 

 

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This visit comes amid tensions following Cambodia's filing of a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice over this and two other disputed temples, along with the Mombei area.

Get around a table, sort out the boundaries and stop the trouble..

[NanLaew]

Have you noticed how images of Buddha in Thailand have bigger faces than images of Buddha in Cambodia?

[Homburg]

"Tourists" or troublemakers?

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of Thai Newsroom

 

This morning, the Thai army confirmed that a group of Cambodian tourists visited Prasat Ta Khwai temple in Surin province. This visit comes amid tensions following Cambodia's filing of a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice over this and two other disputed temples, along with the Mombei area.

 

On June 18, around 30 Cambodian tourists, escorted by soldiers, arrived at the temple where they sang a song and captured photos and videos. This act contravened an existing agreement between Thailand and Cambodia that prohibits symbolic expressions at the Prasat Ta Khwai, Prasat Ta Muen Thom, and Prasat Ta Muen Tot temples.

 

Thai soldiers intervened politely, reminding the tourists of the agreement and requesting their cooperation. The tourists complied and departed the site after approximately 20 minutes.

 

The intervention was managed smoothly, adhering to the bilateral guidelines, which permit unarmed officers to support visitors to the temple.

 

Earlier this year, a confrontation occurred at Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple when a Thai guide clashed with Cambodian soldiers after a video of Cambodians singing their national anthem at the temple went viral.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-06-20

 

 

What is so exciting?

A group of Cambodians visiting their Khmer temple in their country.

And?

[NanLaew]

23 minutes ago, Homburg said:

"Tourists" or troublemakers?

 

The troublemakers are in the Thai senate. They are easy to spot. They mostly wear yellow.

[Caldera]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thai soldiers intervened politely, reminding the tourists of the agreement and requesting their cooperation. The tourists complied and departed the site after approximately 20 minutes.

 

What a relief that they didn't open fire on unarmed tourists. 

[Purdey]

Thais don't like the term Khmer temples. Thai temples in the Khmer style goes down better.

But the Khmer empire once covered the entire northeast.

[newbee2022]

24 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

What a relief that they didn't open fire on unarmed tourists. 

Tourists in their own country attacked by soldiers from a "friendly" country. What a headline 😱

[newbee2022]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of Thai Newsroom

 

This morning, the Thai army confirmed that a group of Cambodian tourists visited Prasat Ta Khwai temple in Surin province. This visit comes amid tensions following Cambodia's filing of a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice over this and two other disputed temples, along with the Mombei area.

 

On June 18, around 30 Cambodian tourists, escorted by soldiers, arrived at the temple where they sang a song and captured photos and videos. This act contravened an existing agreement between Thailand and Cambodia that prohibits symbolic expressions at the Prasat Ta Khwai, Prasat Ta Muen Thom, and Prasat Ta Muen Tot temples.

 

Thai soldiers intervened politely, reminding the tourists of the agreement and requesting their cooperation. The tourists complied and departed the site after approximately 20 minutes.

 

The intervention was managed smoothly, adhering to the bilateral guidelines, which permit unarmed officers to support visitors to the temple.

 

Earlier this year, a confrontation occurred at Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple when a Thai guide clashed with Cambodian soldiers after a video of Cambodians singing their national anthem at the temple went viral.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-06-20

 

 

Under a bilateral agreement, both sides are permitted to deploy unarmed troops at the disputed site to support tourism, but must avoid provocative acts.

[Sir Dude]

I remember reading a quote from a Cambodian official in an article recently on this matter, which went along the lines of "This is all happening because the Thai government is unable to control its army." Funny.

[Watawattana]

Any chance the Thais and Cambodians might be able to share?

[Toby1947]

3 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Have you noticed how images of Buddha in Thailand have bigger faces than images of Buddha in Cambodia?

Yeah but smaller brains 

[Burma Bill]

4 hours ago, Homburg said:

"Tourists" or troublemakers?

 

The Khmer folk look like tourists to me.

 The trouble maker is the Thai Military which has already killed a Cambodian soldier! Shame on you Thailand.

[Srikcir]

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

prohibits symbolic expressions

Are not Thai soldiers in military uniforms a symbolic expression of force? Versus people in civilian clothing?

[black tabby12345]

They pretty much look like a Human Shield.

If any of them ever got killed/wounded by the attacks from Thai side, it will make  the perfect propaganda tool with which they can condemn this kingdom.

Also able to gain sympathy and support from outside own country. 

In addition, it will greatly appeal to the nationalists among themselves.

Very strategic move indeed.