Phnom Penh/New Delhi: Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have escalated following the demolition of a Hindu deity statue in Cambodia, allegedly by the Thai military, amid a long-standing border dispute between the two countries.
India strongly condemned the incident, stating that such actions hurt the sentiments of devotees worldwide. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that people in the region traditionally worship both Hindu and Buddhist deities and that such monuments are part of a shared civilizational heritage. He urged both nations to resolve the issue through dialogue and diplomatic channels to prevent loss of life and property.
According to reports, clashes between Thailand and Cambodia began in July. Although a ceasefire was earlier reached with mediation by former US President Donald Trump, hostilities resumed again this month, raising concerns over regional stability.
Cambodia has condemned the Thai army for demolishing a Hindu Vishnu statue in a disputed border area after more than two weeks of fighting between Cambodia and Thailand.
According to Cambodian officials in Preah Vihear, the statue was built in 2014 and stood several hundred… pic.twitter.com/Epqzy6vzBk
— Jacob in Cambodia 🇺🇸 🇰🇭 (@jacobincambodia) December 24, 2025
Videos showing a Vishnu statue being demolished with a backhoe loader have gone viral on social media, triggering international outrage. An AFP report quoted Preah Vihear province spokesperson Lim Chanpanha as saying that the statue was located in the An Ses area within Cambodian territory and was constructed in 2014. The site is reportedly about 100 metres from the Thai border.
The border dispute has already displaced thousands of civilians in both countries. Reports indicate that more than 20 civilians were killed in clashes earlier this month, while overall casualties in recent months are estimated to be close to 80. The recent dissolution of Thailand’s parliament has further added political significance to the ongoing tensions.
Thailand and Cambodia share an approximately 800-kilometre-long border, with disputes dating back over a century. Cambodia has alleged that the Thai army deliberately destroyed the statue built on its territory. Thailand, however, maintains that the structure stood in a disputed zone and was removed in accordance with border agreements that prohibit permanent constructions in such areas.
Analysts warn that involving religious symbols in political and territorial disputes could further escalate international tensions. Protests against the demolition have been reported globally, with calls for an impartial investigation to determine whether the act was politically or religiously motivated. International Hindu organizations have also sought clarity on whether similar incidents have occurred in the past.