‘A Statue Is Not Equal to Lost Legs’: Thai Leader’s Remark on Vishnu Demolition Triggers International Attention

‘A Statue Is Not Equal to Lost Legs’: Thai Leader’s Remark on Vishnu Demolition Triggers International Attention

Bangkok, 25 December 2025 — Remarks by Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul regarding the demolition of a Vishnu statue in Cambodia’s An Ses area, Preah Vihear Province, have drawn sharp attention amid intensifying international scrutiny of Thai military actions along the Cambodia–Thailand border.

Responding to a journalist’s question on what Thailand should convey to India’s Minister of External Affairs, Anutin stated that “a destroyed statue cannot be compared with the limbs our soldiers have lost,” adding that he would not equate the incident with acts of desecration. The comments were widely interpreted as dismissing concerns over the destruction of a sacred religious symbol, central to Hindu belief and recognized as part of humanity’s shared cultural heritage.

Observers note that the narrative advanced by senior Thai leadership reframes the incident away from religious and cultural accountability, instead prioritizing military losses, despite the statue’s destruction occurring inside Cambodian sovereign territory during ongoing hostilities.

The incident has attracted significant global attention, with major international media outlets, regional broadcasters, and official platforms closely following developments. The widespread coverage underscores growing concern over the conduct of Thai military operations, particularly their impact on civilians, cultural heritage, and regional stability.

Cambodia has repeatedly called for adherence to international law, protection of religious sites, and the peaceful resolution of disputes through established diplomatic mechanisms.