Bangkok: The Royal Thai Army has clarified that Prasat Ta Muen Thom is situated within Thai territory, asserting that there has been no breach of any international agreements. The clarification comes in response to concerns raised by the Cambodian Ministry of Defense regarding a recent cycling event at the temple site.
According to Thai News Agency, Army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvari addressed the situation following Cambodia's complaints about Thai military officers leading cyclists to the Ta Muen Thom temple area in Surin province before official opening hours. Cambodia claimed they were not informed in advance of the event.
A fact-check by the responsible military unit revealed that the cycling event, titled 'Cycling 2 Castles, Experience Durian in the Elephant City @ Phanom Dong Rak 2025', was organized to promote tourism in Surin Province. The event, held on June 22, 2025, saw about 150 cyclists depart from Bak Dai Subdistrict, Phanom Dong Rak District, heading towards Prasat Ta Muen Thom, as scheduled.
On June 21, prior to the event, the Thai coordination team at Prasat Ta Muen Thom notified their Cambodian counterparts about the cycling activity. Cambodian coordination officers were present at the temple as usual during the event. The cyclists proceeded to Prasat Ta Kwai after visiting Prasat Ta Muen Thom, with no objections or dissatisfaction expressed by the Cambodian side during the event.
The army spokesman emphasized that the temple is located within Thai territory and that proper coordination was conducted in line with official procedures, ensuring no agreements were violated. He suggested that the incident may have stemmed from miscommunication between the Cambodian military unit and its central government.
Concerning the closure of the Chong Sai Taku border crossing, the army spokesman explained that it was a precautionary measure for public safety. This decision was based on a comprehensive security assessment, noting the increased presence of Cambodian soldiers and equipment at several border points.
This action aligns with government policy and the operations of the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Administration Center (TBSA), which oversees border management with a focus on cooperation and unity.