SURIN — Thai authorities on Wednesday released images of Ta Muen Thom temple following a nearly month-long ceasefire along the Thai–Cambodian border, showing the Thai national flag prominently raised and the main structure largely intact.
On 21 January 2026, Lt.Col. Chakrit Piyasuphuek, commander of the 21st Infantry Battalion under Task Force 2, which is responsible for security at Ta Muen Thom in Phanom Dong Rak district, said officials from Thailand’s Fine Arts Department had carried out an initial inspection of the temple.
Lt.Col. Chakrit said the structure may bear some bullet marks from earlier border clashes but remains largely unchanged and has not suffered serious damage, unlike Ta Kwai temple. No parts of the structure were found to have collapsed.
The site remains closed to the public as authorities continue to clear the area to ensure safety.
Lt.Col. Chakrit said that during the clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border, Cambodian forces attempted to seize control of the temple area by firing towards it. He added that Cambodian authorities are now reinforcing and repairing their positions on the Cambodian side.
Thai troops have since established full control around Ta Muen Thom, erecting a Thai flagpole in front of the temple and installing barbed-wire fencing at points that had previously been relaxed to allow Cambodian tourists to visit. Cambodian forces are continuing to monitor movements on the Thai side.
At the former visitor entrance, signs of damage from the clashes were also visible. Bullet holes were found around a platform housing Buddha images and other sacred objects, with parts of the roof collapsed. However, a large Buddha statue and other sacred items were not damaged, authorities said.
