A senior official at the Royal Academy of Cambodia has condemned Thailand’s defense minister, Nattaphon Narkphanit, calling him a “thief invading Khmer territory” after the Thai minister demanded that Cambodia hand over Ta Krabey Temple in exchange for the release of 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.
Kin Phea, president of the Institute of International Relations at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, wrote on his Facebook page that “the thief has shamelessly come forward, seeking to use military force to seize Cambodia’s Ta Krabey Temple.”
He said the Thai minister’s demand was an extension of long-standing attempts to pressure Cambodia to clear more landmines along the border, making it easier for Thai troops to advance and capture Khmer temples and land as part of their territorial ambitions.
Kin Phea added that under such brazen aggression, any Cambodian who continues to buy Thai products is effectively supporting an invading thief. He stressed that Cambodia does not need to negotiate with anyone over its own heritage sites, noting that Ta Moan Toch, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey, and the Three Angles area all lie within Cambodian territory. He said these areas were officially submitted to the International Court of Justice on June 15, 2025.
On November 4, Thailand’s The Nation newspaper quoted Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit as saying that there would be no border talks with Cambodia until Ta Krabey Temple was handed over to Thailand. He said the Thai cabinet had yet to discuss the matter but remained determined to reclaim the temple, which he claimed is still part of Thai territory.
Nattaphon added that Thailand would not continue discussions about releasing the 18 Cambodian soldiers unless Cambodia first agreed to transfer control of Ta Krabey Temple. He said other issues, including the reopening of border checkpoints, would also not be discussed until that condition was met.
In response, Cambodian political geographer Yang Pov wrote on Facebook that if Cambodia compromises by giving away temples or land to satisfy Thailand’s demands, it would only encourage further unilateral border redrawing and future territorial claims. “How much land and how many temples will Cambodia have left to give away?” he wrote.
On June 16, 2025, Senate President Hun Sen said the Cambodian-Thai border stretches more than 800 kilometers, but only four areas remain in dispute: the Three Angles area, Ta Moan Toch Temple, Ta Moan Thom Temple, and Ta Krabey Temple. He said these cases should be settled by the International Court of Justice, while other sections of the border would be resolved through bilateral negotiations.
Hun Sen described Thailand’s actions as cowardly and unlawful, saying Thai leaders dare not face Cambodia in the international court.
The Cambodia Daily has not yet reached government spokesperson Pen Bona for comment on Thailand’s claims regarding the four disputed areas as of broadcast time.
