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Why did the Cambodian army destroy the Vishnu statue? Learn about its significance and religious heritage.
Thailand Cambodia Controversy: On December 22, 2025, the Thai army demolished a Vishnu statue in Cambodia using a JCB. Let's explore the significance of this Vishnu statue and the information related to it.
Thailand Vishnu idol controversy: Amidst the ongoing dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, India has also intervened. On December 22, 2025, the Thai army demolished a statue of Lord Vishnu in Cambodia using a JCB. Now, this issue is gaining international attention.
India has officially protested the destruction of the Vishnu idol by the army. A video of this incident is now going viral on social media, clearly showing a JCB machine demolishing the Vishnu temple on the Thailand-Cambodia border. Let's learn important information related to this idol.
A monument to a Hindu deity installed by Cambodia was torn down by Thailand's army.
Not a dismantling — more like a straight kick up the backside. Only, instead of a foot, it was an excavator.
The irony is brutal. Both countries are Buddhist with deep Hindu roots. Hindus revere… pic.twitter.com/QzO0P5uWYx
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 23, 2025
The height of the Vishnu statue is 9 meters.
The statue of Lord Vishnu in Cambodia that was destroyed by the Thai army was over 9 meters tall. It was installed on a platform in 2014.
You will be surprised to know that this very statue was installed by the Cambodian army itself in 2013 in an area Thailand considers its own territory. Now, the Thai army itself is being accused of demolishing the statue. The statue's original height is said to be 30 feet.
The statue was 100 meters inside the border.
It is reported that the statue of Lord Vishnu was located approximately 100 meters inside Cambodia's Preah Vihear border. This statue was erected in 2014.
Due to the dispute, Thai army personnel demolished it using an excavator on December 22, 2025. A video of this incident is now going viral on social media, prompting India to condemn it as an act of disrespect.
Why was the statue broken?
The Thai military has also explained the reason for the demolition of the statue. They stated that there was no religious reason behind the demolition. It is being said that this incident is not related to religion, but rather to a land dispute.
This statue of Lord Vishnu was installed near the Chong An Ma area of Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province, where a casino is also located. According to the Thai military, the removal of the statue became necessary after they regained control of the area.
