Cambodia on Wednesday accused Thailand of demolishing a statue of Lord Vishnu in a disputed border area, an incident that has drawn international attention and diplomatic reactions, including from India. Cambodian government spokesperson Kim Chanpanha said the statue was destroyed by Thai forces using heavy machinery in the An Ses area, which Phnom Penh claims lies within Cambodian territory.
Videos circulating on social media appear to show a backhoe loader toppling the statue, which was built in 2014 and stood roughly 100 metres from the Thailand–Cambodia border. Chanpanha said Cambodia “condemns the destruction of ancient temples and statues that are worshipped by Buddhist and Hindu followers,” adding that the statue was located inside Cambodian territory. News agency AFP reported that it had independently verified the footage and found no evidence of AI manipulation.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to the incident, calling it “disrespectful” and urging both sides to exercise restraint. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement that Hindu and Buddhist deities are “deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region, as part of our shared civilizational heritage.” He added, “Notwithstanding territorial claims, such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world, and should not take place.”
The Vishnu statue’s demolition comes amid renewed military tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, stemming from a long-running territorial dispute along their 800-kilometre shared border, where several ancient temple ruins are located. The latest clashes have reportedly left more than 40 people dead and displaced close to one million, according to official figures.
Both governments have accused each other of damaging heritage sites during the fighting. While Cambodia has alleged that Thai forces targeted temple structures, Thailand has claimed Cambodian troops were positioned near ancient ruins. Diplomatic talks to ease tensions remain uncertain, with both sides continuing to trade accusations over responsibility for the latest escalation.
