AKP Phnom Penh, July 08, 2025 -- 

The Kampong Thom Provincial Administration today celebrated the eighth anniversary of the Sambor Prei Kuk Temple Zone's inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

The historic site, recognised by UNESCO on July 8, 2017, was the setting for the commemorative ceremony.

The event at the Sambor Prei Kuk historical site in Prasat Sambor district saw the participation of H.E. Nuon Pharat, Governor of Kampong Thom, and H.E. Hab Touch, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

Governor Nuon Pharat emphasised the historical significance of Sambor Prei Kuk, identifying it as the ancient capital of the Chenla Kingdom, then known as "Ishanapura." Located in present-day Prasat Sambor district, approximately 30 kilometres from Kampong Thom provincial town, the temple complex was built between the late 6th and 8th centuries during the reign of King Isanavarman I. 

He detailed its three main architectural groups: the Northern Group (Sambor Temple), the Central Group (Lion Temple), and the Southern Group (Yeay Poan or Naga Temple).

H.E. Hab Touch recounted the official inscription of Sambor Prei Kuk onto the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 8, 2017, during the World Heritage Committee meeting in Krakow, Poland. He underscored that this successful achievement for the ancient Cambodian temple was the result of extensive efforts, guided by the leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, former Prime Minister, with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts initiating the nomination process in 2012.

The Secretary of State further highlighted that Sambor Prei Kuk's World Heritage designation represents a significant milestone in Cambodia's mission to protect its ancient temples and to honor the rich cultural legacy of its ancestors. He noted that this heritage not only reinforces national identity and cultural pride but also contributes to safeguarding the Kingdom's sovereignty, maintained through sustained peace and political stability.

By K. Rithy Reak