'Was inside our territory': Cambodia accuses Thailand of demolishing Lord Vishnu statue; border tensions escalate

Cambodian government spokesman Kim Chanpanha on Wednesday accused Thailand of destroying a Hindu statue in a disputed border area.

Videos circulating on social media pages appear to show a back-hoe loader demolishing a statue of the Lord Vishnu.

“We condemn the destruction of ancient temples and statues that are worshipped by Buddhist and Hindu followers,” said Kim Chanpanha.




“The statue was inside our territory in the An Ses area,” he added, as quoted by news agency AFP. He said the demolition of the Vishnu statue, built in 2014, occurred on Monday about 100 metres (328 feet) from the border with Thailand.



AFP analysed the footage using AI-detection tools and found no signs of AI manipulation. It also independently verified the location of the statue.

The ministry of external affairs condemned the "disrespectful" act and urged Thailand and Cambodia to engage in dialogue.

"In response to media queries regarding the demolition of Hindu deity statue, Official Spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal said: We have seen reports on the demolition of a statue of a Hindu religious deity, built in recent times, and located in an area affected by the ongoing Thai-Cambodia border dispute. Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region, as part of our shared civilizational heritage," read a press release issued Wednesday.

"Not withstanding territorial claims, such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world, and should not take place. We once again urge the two sides to return to dialogue and diplomacy, to resume peace and avoid any further loss of lives, and damage to property and heritage," it added

The long-standing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand intensified this month, leaving more than 40 people dead and displacing nearly one million, according to official figures.

Thailand on Tuesday rejected a request by Cambodia to hold bilateral talks in a neutral country to negotiate an end to the skirmish. Thai officials said the four-day meeting would begin on Wednesday in Chanthaburi province, but Phnom Penh has yet to confirm attendance.

Both sides have blamed each other for instigating the latest fighting and have exchanged accusations of attacks on civilians.

Cambodia has also repeatedly alleged that Thai forces have damaged temple ruins along the border during the clashes, while Bangkok has said Phnom Penh was positioning soldiers at the centuries-old stone structures.

The conflict stems from a territorial dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of the two countries’ 800-kilometre (500-mile) shared border, where several ancient temple ruins are located.