THAILAND DEC 25 : Thailand has defended the demolition of a Vishnu idol near its disputed border with Cambodia, calling it a “decorative structure” and denying any religious disrespect, after India strongly condemned the incident.
Thailand’s government stated that the structure was “not connected to any religion” and was “merely a decorative piece” located along the Thailand-Cambodia border. Officials clarified that the statue was not a registered or officially recognized religious site, and its removal was related to “security considerations and area administration.”
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul defended the action, telling reporters that “a destroyed statue cannot compare to soldiers’ lives or limbs.” The government expressed “sincere regret for any discomfort that may have arisen from misunderstandings” following circulation of demolition images.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs reacted strongly on Wednesday, stating that “such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world, and should not take place.” The ministry emphasized that “Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region, as part of our shared civilizational heritage.”
A Cambodian government spokesman from Preah Vihear province condemned the destruction, saying “we condemn the destruction of ancient temples and statues that are worshipped by Buddhist and Hindu followers.” Cambodia insists the statue stood “inside our territory in the An Ses area.”
The demolition followed nearly two weeks of military clashes between the neighbors that left 23 people dead in Thailand (mostly soldiers) and 21 civilians killed in Cambodia, according to official figures. Videos showed the Vishnu statue being torn down with a backhoe near the disputed An Ses area, with the structure standing about 400 meters from the border on the Cambodian side. Both nations have accused each other of triggering the latest fighting and targeting civilians.
