Lord Vishnu statue demolition in Cambodia row: Why was the idol destroyed in An Ses area and what Thailand, India said about the controversy?

Thailand has issued a clarification regarding the alleged destruction of Lord Vishnu statue in a disputed border area with Cambodia triggered a backlash from India. Defending the demolition of the Hindu deity statue, Thailand called it a "decorative structure", saying the removal was carried out to assert control in a disputed frontier area. According to news agency AFP, the Thai government Thursday said that the Lord Vishnu's statue removal was "related to security considerations and area administration and not intended to disrespect any religion or beliefs". "The said structure was not connected to any religion, but was merely a decorative piece at a location along the Thailand-Cambodia border," it added.

After criticism from India, Bangkok in a separate statement said that the Lord Vishnu statue was "not installed as a registered or officially recognized religious site". "More importantly, its removal was undertaken with the objective of affirming effective control of the area," according to the Thai government. It expressed "sincere regret for any discomfort that may have arisen from misunderstandings" due to the circulating images.

According to a report in AFP, Thailand's Prime Minister told reporters that "a destroyed statue cannot compare to soldiers’ lives or limbs”. The Thai government further said that the structure was “not connected to any religion” and was “merely a decorative piece at a location along the Thailand-Cambodia border." “The removal was related to security considerations and area administration and not intended to disrespect any religion or beliefs,” it said in a statement.


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Lord Vishnu statue demolished by Thailand?

Videos showing demolition of the Vishnu statue allegedly by the Thai Army using a backhoe widely circulated on social media this week. Preah Vihear's spokesperson Lim Chanpanha told news agency AFP that the statue was located inside the Cambodian territory in the An Ses area. Chanpanha said the demolition of the Vishnu statue, built in 2014, took place on Monday, about 100 metres (328 feet) from the border with Thailand. The Preah Vihear provincial spokesman said it was built in 2014 on Cambodian territory and knocked down on Monday.



AFP verified the footage and confirmed it was not AI-generated and was filmed near the disputed An Ses area. Soon after the video went viral, the Thai-Cambodian border press centre issued a statement on Thursday claiming, "The actions were not intended to involve religion, beliefs, or disrespect any sacred entities, but were solely for the purpose of area management and security, following the Thai side's regaining control of areas under Thailand's sovereignty", reports NDTV.

“The action was therefore taken to confirm control of the area, minimize the risk of misunderstandings, and prevent the use of symbols that could lead to further tension,” it clarified.

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What India said on Lord Vishnu idol destruction

India slammed the destruction of Lord Vishnu idol in Cambodia, saying "such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world, and should not take place". “Notwithstanding territorial claims, such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world, and should not take place,” the ministry said, adding that "Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region, as part of our shared civilisational heritage."

A Cambodian government spokesman from Preah Vihear province earlier said, “We condemn the destruction of ancient temples and statues that are worshipped by Buddhist and Hindu followers.” He further said that the statue was “inside our territory in the An Ses area”. Cambodia has repeatedly accused Thai forces of damaging temple ruins along the border during recent clashes, an allegation Bangkok has denied.

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Where is the Lord Vishnu statue situated?

The Lord Vishnu statue was built in 2014 on Cambodian territory and was located in An Ses area, about 100 metres (328 feet) from the border with Thailand. A Google Maps review indicated the statue’s location was about 400 metres (1,300 feet) from the border, on the Cambodian side. An Ses is a border area located in the Choam Ksan district of Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, near the border with Thailand.

The border dispute of Thailand and Cambodia was reignited this month and 23 people were killed in Thailand- mainly soldiers- and 21 civilians in Cambodia, reports AFP. Each side has blamed the other for instigating the fresh fighting, and they have traded accusations of attacks on civilians. The demolition of the Lord Vishnu statute came nearly two weeks of military clashes between the two neighbours. On December 24, Thailand and Cambodia started peace talks to solve the long-standing border dispute but the two nations reported new fighting even as both sides started truce talks.

(With inputs from AFP, TOI)

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