Thailand has rejected claims that the removal of a Hindu statue installed by Cambodian troops in a contested frontier zone was an act of religious disrespect, following growing criticism from both Cambodian and Indian communities.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Joint Press Center on the Thailand–Cambodia Border Situation, the statue built by Cambodian forces in the Chong An Ma area of Ubon Ratchathani province was not officially registered and was dismantled for security-related reasons.
“The actions taken to remove said structure were not motivated by religion, belief or any intent to disrespect sacred symbols or any faith,” the statement said.
“The operation was carried out solely as part of area administration and security management, following the restoration of control over Thai sovereignty.”
Images showing a backhoe pushing over a statue of Lord Vishnu on Monday spread widely across social media and sparked intense discussion among Indian users online.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi later released a statement noting its concern over developments along the Thai-Cambodian border.
“We have seen reports on the demolition of a statue of a Hindu religious deity … located in an area affected by the ongoing Thailand-Cambodia border dispute,” it quoted spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal as saying.
“Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region, as part of our shared civilisational heritage.”
“Notwithstanding 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.”
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday that the move was not intended as an insult, and stressed that he was more worried about the threat posed to Thai soldiers by landmines scattered along the frontier.
“A destroyed statue cannot be compared with the limbs our soldiers have lost, nor can it be compared with acts of desecration. I would not make such a comparison at all,” local media quoted him as saying.
Site Not Registered
The Thai military-led joint press centre stated that the statue had been placed in an area that was neither registered nor formally designated as a religious site.
“More importantly, its removal was undertaken with the objective of affirming effective control of the area, reducing the risk of misunderstanding, and preventing the use of structures and symbols that could be exploited to lead to further tension,” it said.
The statue, depicting a Hindu deity and standing roughly nine metres high, was installed by Cambodian forces between 2013 and 2014 in a disputed zone near the Preah Vihear temple.
Kim Chanpanha, a spokesperson for the Preah Vihear provincial government, said the statue “was inside our territory in the An Ses area”, roughly 100 metres from the Thai border.
“We condemn the destruction of ancient temples and statues that are worshipped by Buddhist and Hindu followers,” he said.
The Thai joint press centre reiterated that Thailand “holds deep respect for all religions and belief systems, including Hinduism, which shares longstanding historical and cultural connections with countries across Southeast Asia.”
“The Thai side is mindful of the feelings of people of all faiths worldwide and expresses sincere regret for any discomfort that may have arisen from misunderstandings due to the circulation of images without full context,” it said.
On Wednesday, military representatives from both countries launched a new round of negotiations, meeting at a border checkpoint in Chanthaburi province.
Thailand has said that, should talks advance, the defence ministers of both nations will convene on Saturday to explore the potential for a ceasefire in the latest escalation of hostilities.
A Google Maps search showed the statue’s position to be approximately 400 metres (1,300 feet) inside Cambodian territory from the border line.
The neighbours’ long-running border dispute flared up again this month, leading to the deaths of 23 people in Thailand — most of them soldiers — and 21 civilians in Cambodia, according to official figures.
Both governments have accused the other side of provoking the renewed clashes and have exchanged allegations of civilian attacks.
