During the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, Thai armed forces have destroyed the Ta Krabey and Preah Vihear temples, showing a complete lack of respect for ancient civilization, culture, and the heritage of Cambodia’s ancestors. These actions disregard the historical and cultural values that have been preserved for generations.
Recently, Thai forces reportedly used an excavator to demolish a Hindu deity statue located in Cambodian territory. This action deeply shames and insults religious faith and world heritage. Following this destruction, Venumbaka Vijayasai Reddy, a prominent former Indian politician, stated on social media: “Destroying a Hindu deity’s statue under the pretext of a border dispute is unacceptable. Violence against sacred symbols cannot be whitewashed with slogans.”
Thailand is widely known as a country that respects Buddhism. However, its brutal and inhumane actions demonstrate a non-religious stance, using military power against ancient religious temples and sacred statues. The Thai military has reportedly used destructive weapons, including F-16 fighter jets and T-50 fighter aircraft, to drop bombs in multiple areas up to 90 kilometers deep, violating Cambodian airspace.
In addition, Thai forces allegedly deployed heavy and illegal weapons such as tanks equipped with machine guns, armored vehicles, cluster bombs, and poisonous gas to enter Cambodian territory under the pretext of “self-defense.” These actions constitute indiscriminate attacks against Cambodia.
This non-religious aggression has destroyed almost everything in affected Cambodian areas: ancient temples, sacred statues, buildings, houses, pagodas, bridges, schools, and populated communities. At least 20 innocent people have been killed, many others injured, and more than half a million people have fled their homes. Such actions cannot be regarded as heroic; rather, they are brutal, inhumane, and condemnable in the eyes of Cambodia and the world.
