Amid renewed military tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, a disturbing video has surfaced showing Thai soldiers allegedly destroying a statue of a Hindu deity after capturing an area inside Cambodian territory. The incident has triggered strong reactions in Cambodia, with authorities condemning the act as an attack on cultural and religious heritage.
The video, which began circulating on social media on Wednesday, shows visible damage to the ancient Prasat Ta Khwai temple, an 11th-century Hindu shrine located near the Thailand–Cambodia border. In the footage, a statue believed to be of a Hindu deity appears vandalised after Thai forces took control of the area during recent clashes.
Prasat Ta Khwai is considered an important historical and religious site, reflecting the region’s rich Hindu heritage from the Angkor-era period. Visuals indicate that parts of the temple structure and the deity’s statue suffered significant damage, raising concerns over the protection of heritage monuments in conflict zones.
Reacting sharply to the incident, Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts described the destruction as “immoral” and unacceptable. The ministry said attacks on cultural and religious monuments violate international norms and undermine efforts to preserve shared human heritage. Cambodian officials have demanded accountability and urged all parties to respect historical sites, regardless of ongoing military disputes.
The incident comes at a sensitive time as tensions have escalated again along the disputed border areas between the two Southeast Asian neighbours. While both countries have a long history of border disagreements, heritage sites near the frontier have often become flashpoints during periods of conflict.
So far, Thai authorities have not issued an official response to the viral video. Meanwhile, cultural experts and rights groups have called for an independent investigation and stronger safeguards to protect ancient monuments from damage during military operations.
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