Thailand on Thursday defended the demolition of the Vishnu idol, describing it as a "decorative structure" along its border with Cambodia, after criticism from India.Thailand’s prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul also defended the move, telling reporters on Thursday 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."
It said that the statue was removed to assert control in a disputed border area and that the action was not meant to insult any religion.“The removal was related to security considerations and area administration and not intended to disrespect any religion or beliefs,” it said in a statement.In a separate statement, Bangkok added that the statue was “not installed as a registered or officially recognised religious site”.The government also expressed “sincere regret for any discomfort that may have arisen from misunderstandings” following the circulation of images showing the demolition.India slams idol destructionIndia reacted sharply to the incident on Wednesday, with the ministry of external affairs saying that “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.Thailand-Cambodia conflictThe demolition followed nearly two weeks of military clashes between the two neighbours.Videos showing the Vishnu statue being torn down with a backhoe circulated widely on Thai social media this week.
AFP verified the footage and confirmed it was filmed near the disputed An Ses area.A check on Google Maps showed the statue stood about 400 metres from the border, on the Cambodian side.The long-running border dispute flared up again this month, leaving 23 people dead in Thailand, most of them soldiers, and 21 civilians killed in Cambodia, according to official figures. Both sides have blamed each other for triggering the latest fighting and have accused one another of targeting civilians.