AKP Phnom Penh, July 08, 2025 --

His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, has extended his congratulations on the occasion of the 8th Anniversary of the Inscription of Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk on the World Heritage List on July 8, 2017 by UNESCO.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the Inscription of Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk on the World Heritage List. Being both a national treasure and a world heritage site, this inscription contributes to the care and preservation of Sambor Prey Kuk Temple, ensuring that it remains intact and is sustainably maintained within the territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia,” the monarch underlined.

His Majesty the King conveyed his gratitude for the decision of His Majesty the Late King-Father, "PREAH BOROM RATANAK KAUDH", who always took great care in preserving the national cultural heritage during his lifetime. He also extended his deep appreciation and gratitude to all the Cambodian people, under the wise and brilliant leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, as navigator and currently succeeded by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN MANET as the Head of the Royal Government. 

“This inscription has opened a historic new page in the Kingdom of Cambodia, where the world has recognised the cultural and historical treasure, a profound legacy of the Khmer ancestors, left for future generations to preserve,” he stressed.

Moreover, His Majesty the King expressed his deep thanks and strong support for the National Authority for Sambor Prey Kuk and the International Coordination Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Sites of Angkor and Sambor Prei Kuk (ICC/ANGKOR-SAMBOR PREI KUK), and for its ongoing maintenance, led by co-chairs representing the Republic of France and Japan, as well as all cooperating partners.

At the same time, Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also congratulated his compatriots on the listing of Sambor Prei Kuk’s Temple Zone as a World Heritage Site, and called on them to take part in preserving all the ancient temples, emphasising, “Safeguarding our cultural heritage is a shared duty of all Cambodians.”

Sambor Prei Kuk Temple, a group of Khmer ancient temples, was named a World Heritage Site on July 8, 2017 during the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee held in Krakow, Poland. This well-known cultural, historical and archaeological site of Cambodia, situated in Sambo village, Sambo commune, Prasat Sambo district, Kampong Thom province, encompasses 3,000 hectare land surface in the forest, about 30 kilometres from Kampong Thom provincial town.

The Sambor Prei Kuk Temple Zone, formerly known as “Ishanapura”, served as the Khmer capital during the Chenla period. The Temple Zone was built between the late 6th and 8th centuries during the reign of King Isanavarman. The site is divided into three main groups: 1) the Sambor Temple Group (Northern), 2) the Central Temple Group (Prasat Tao), and 3) the Southern Temple Group (Yeai Poan or Neak Poan Temple).

By C. Nika