Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has unveiled a striking mural and theatrical performance in Phnom Penh to honour victims of last year’s border clashes with Thailand.

The centrepiece, titled Art for Peace, was revealed on Monday at Botum Pagoda Park under the patronage of Culture Minister Phoeurng Sackona. Hundreds of spectators and officials gathered to witness the unveiling, which organisers described as a visual archive of the destruction of Cambodian sovereignty and heritage during the 2025 conflict.

Accompanying the mural was Border Tragedy, a performance directed by Seng Sam An.

The dramatisation recreated the fighting in Preah Vihear province, complete with depictions of heavy weaponry and fighter jets. It highlighted the deaths of Cambodian soldiers and the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians. “This performance calls on the international community to acknowledge the suffering caused by the invasion,” Seng Sam An said.

The mural itself portrays harrowing scenes: bombardments of the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear Temple and Ta Krabey Temple, a mother shielding her children in a bunker, and the destruction of a Vishnu statue. Campaign organiser Tan Kimsour stressed that the work is rooted in documented events rather than fiction. “It is a peaceful call for justice, accountability, and respect of international law,” he said.

Artists and officials emphasised that the project is not intended to incite hatred but to ensure the tragedies are remembered. The initiative is the second in a series of peace-themed artworks commissioned by the ministry, aiming to preserve memory while promoting reconciliation.

For many Cambodians, the mural stands as both a cultural record and a reminder of the human cost of the border conflict. It reflects the trauma endured by families who lost homes, schools and heritage sites, while urging the world to recognise Cambodia’s scars and support its call for peace.

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I admire the artwork but detest the government propaganda surrounding the presentation.