The Indian government is expressing outrage following the demolition of a Hindu deity statue in a disputed region between Thailand and Cambodia. On December 24, 2025, an official statement was released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemning the act, which has escalated tensions in the area.

 

The Official Spokesperson for the MEA, Shri Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed the destruction of the statue in a media address. People saw the recently erected statue in the conflict zone as a significant emblem of cultural and religious heritage. Jaiswal emphasised the shared reverence for Hindu and Buddhist deities across Southeast Asia, describing them as part of a "shared civilisational heritage."

 

 

India firmly opposed the action, arguing that territorial disputes do not justify such "disrespectful acts." The destruction is seen as hurtful to followers around the world, and New Delhi insists that such incidents "should not take place." The government is urging both Thailand and Cambodia to engage in dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further conflict and safeguard cultural heritage.

 

The MEA has called for immediate peaceful negotiations to avoid additional loss of life and protect cultural landmarks. The situation remains tense, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting a resolution to the conflict through diplomatic channels, reported The Thaiger.

 

 

Key Takeaways

• India condemns the demolition of a Hindu statue in a Thailand-Cambodia conflict zone.
• The Indian government urges immediate peace talks to prevent further escalation.
• Cultural and religious heritage protection remains a top priority in diplomatic discussions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-12-26

 

 

 

Thailand the Buddhistic country with alcohol bans on Buddhistic holidays as a part of how dedicated they are to their religion, shows now how non Buddhistic they are .... A statue that stands there already for more than a decade must be demolished. It shows also the stupidity of the dispute over the border. Thailand has no rights yet until Thailand is given the control of the land, but which they failed to claim in the past 118 years. Maybe time to accept the situation instead of damage Thailand more and more.. Thailand want to focus on tourists from India. Actions like this will surely have a negative impact for the tourism.. Everything at the moment is damaging the country. The too expensive THB, the border dispute, destroying property now...Think before doing is not done

India needs to do the right thing and ban their citizens from visiting Thailand. 

That was a bit of an own goal, Thailand. 

We remember in March 2001, when the Taliban destroyed the two ancient Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan, and the global outrage which followed; an outrage in which Thailand included itself in the chorus.

 

Thailand deserves to be the subject of a similar global outrage - those who ordered and implemented this destruction should be charged for bringing Thailand into international disrepute, and for damaging Thailand's international image.  Those ignoramuses seem to be unaware of the Hindu, especially the Brahmin caste's, influences on Thai Buddhism and culture, especially withing Thai royal ceremonies.  [Moderators may wish to delete the final phrase if they deem it inappropriate].

It says it was recently erected. If so there’s no heritage there. Did it have permission? 

Any reason for demolition given ?

I can't find any explanation from  Thailand as to by whom, and why, this was done. Bear in mind the ignorance of Thailand's heritage created by the adoption of the name Thailand in place of it's historical name Siam. The idea that is put about that Thailand means land of the free is utter BS. It means land of the Thai people to the exclusion of all the other ethnicities who have been a part of Thailand for thousands of years. So much of what is wrong with Thailand today stems from the name change in 1939, with a brief  post-war respite to Siam in 1945, but permanently imposed as Thailand in 1949.

lol  @ outraged.

God bless em.

6 hours ago, Andyfez said:

Any reason for demolition given ?

From Khmer Times

 

“Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region, as part of our shared civilizational heritage

 

Speaking to reporters, Anutin stated, “A destroyed statue cannot be compared with the limbs our soldiers have lost, nor can it be compared with acts of desecration. I would not make such a comparison at all.”👎

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501815275/thai-pm-anutin-defends-soldiers-after-india-condemns-demolition-of-hindu-vishnu-statue-in-preah-vihear/

 

 

The sad destruction of this revered statue of Vishnu would not have happened if Thai soldiers had avoided trespassing on Cambodian soil in the first instance!

 

I would suggest, this is being blown way out of proportion, seem this "statue" doesn't really have any genuine religious significance. 

Filthy idolators worshipping the golden calf.  Let the heathens duke it out amongst themselves, and may the best one win. 

Nobody really cares , Just want there 5 minutes of fame, its a  just a statue ,

4 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

From Khmer Times

 

“Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region, as part of our shared civilizational heritage

 

Speaking to reporters, Anutin stated, “A destroyed statue cannot be compared with the limbs our soldiers have lost, nor can it be compared with acts of desecration. I would not make such a comparison at all.”👎

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501815275/thai-pm-anutin-defends-soldiers-after-india-condemns-demolition-of-hindu-vishnu-statue-in-preah-vihear/

 

 

The sad destruction of this revered statue of Vishnu would not have happened if Thai soldiers had avoided trespassing on Cambodian soil in the first instance!

 

"revered"  lol  don't make me laugh, hun sen made you post that didn't he ?   was it under threat of a punishment bumming ?   What anutin said was bang on. 

So  Save your criticism  for the Cambodian landmines, the chinese funded scam call centers , and the chinese covert organ harvesting programmes that your Khmer Rouge leader welcomes 

I could do with a few copies of that newspaper you referred to, my outside $h1thouse is right out of arse wipe 

DOnt they have better things to do?

Well go on , destroy all temples, statues which contain a form of religion.

Let us ban religion from earth. Nothing but troubles and worries. 

15 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

India needs to do the right thing and ban their citizens from visiting Thailand. 

 

This is the way.

5 minutes ago, xtrnuno41 said:

DOnt they have better things to do?

Well go on , destroy all temples, statues which contain a form of religion.

Let us ban religion from earth. Nothing but troubles and worries. 

Nonsense. Look at what has happened in the west when they abandoned Christ. Invasion and displacement is the future for younger generations. Thailand on the other hand maintains control over their territory and life goes on as usual. I'm not even religious but it's clear what the winning strategy is.

17 minutes ago, xtrnuno41 said:

DOnt they have better things to do?

Well go on , destroy all temples, statues which contain a form of religion.

Let us ban religion from earth. Nothing but troubles and worries. 

bang on,  it really is the root of all evil, always has been and always will be

8 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

Nonsense. Look at what has happened in the west when they abandoned Christ. Invasion and displacement is the future for younger generations. Thailand on the other hand maintains control over their territory and life goes on as usual. I'm not even religious but it's clear what the winning strategy is.

so what is the winning strategy then?  from what I can see religion does not feature  very strongly in the current conflict , BM 21  and F16 seem to be the chosen methods of exercising control from both sides 

18 hours ago, webfact said:

The Indian government is expressing outrage

A little reach saying they were outraged. The letter they wrote does not show outrage

17 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

India needs to do the right thing and ban their citizens from visiting Thailand. 

 

I'm in favor, if only for purely selfish reasons.