(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Delegate Minister and the Chairman of the Royal Government Spokesperson Pen Bona confirmed that Thailand has continued to fire and drop bombs on multiple Cambodian civilian targets, including pagodas, health centres, residential villages, and the Preah Vihear Temple. He declared that these actions constitute clear crimes against humanity, which Cambodia strongly and unequivocally condemns.

Pen Bona spoke on Saturday (Jul. 25) during the press conference.

“Thailand has dropped bombs on various civilian targets in Cambodia, such as the bombardment of Ta Moan Saen Chey Pagoda, located in Banteay Ampil District, Oddar Meanchey Province, which severely damaged the sacred religious site and killed an Achar, who is Dharma practitioner and caretaker of the temple. Thailand also launched an attack on a health centre in Morodok Commune, Choam Khsant District, Preah Vihear Province, seriously affecting the Cambodian people’s access to medical care and infringing on their basic rights,” he underscored.

He added that Thailand also targeted residential areas, destroying citizens' homes and injuring many people, including children. A Tela gas station was also hit and damaged in Oddar Meanchey Province. Furthermore, bombs were dropped on the Preah Vihear Temple, impacting a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the apparent intention of destroying it completely. A school in Samraong town was also bombed.

Pen Bona also confirmed that Thailand used cluster munitions, which are prohibited under international law, describing it as a grave inhumane act against Cambodia.

“Therefore, we can conclude that what Thailand is currently doing clearly constitutes crimes against humanity, and Cambodia strongly and unequivocally condemns these brutal and inhumane actions,” Pen Bona continued.

It should be noted that the Thai military launched attacks on several locations inside Cambodia using heavy weapons and F-16 fighter jets. These targeted locations included Phnom Trop, Ta Thav, Phnom Kmoch, O’Phka Sneh, Emerald Triangle, Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Krabei Temple, pagodas, health centres, residential areas, and the Preah Vihear Temple.

Clashes between Cambodia and Thailand began on the morning of July 24, 2025, near the Ta Moan Thom temple in Oddar Meanchey province, later spreading to other border areas after Thai forces launched attacks to invade Cambodian territory.
=FRESH NEWS