Bangkok: Thailand has firmly denied accusations from Cambodia that it encroached on Cambodian sovereignty by constructing a Buddha statue, asserting that the statue was erected within Thai territory.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry of Defence spokesperson refuted the claims made by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which alleged that Thailand violated Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The accusations centered around the construction of at least 36 Buddha images in areas of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces and the installation of two flagpoles in Preah Vihear province following a ceasefire on December 27, 2025. Rear Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, stated that while they are verifying the details with the Royal Thai Army, all actions taken along the Thai-Cambodian border have adhered to the joint statement signed with Cambodia.
Rear Admiral Kongsiri emphasized that Thailand has consistently honored all agreements with Cambodia, including those related to military deployment, barbed wire fences, and containers. He described Cambodia's protest as a politically motivated action intended to pressure Thailand into accelerating negotiations at various levels. He also suggested that Cambodia might be attempting to divert attention from its domestic economic challenges by stirring nationalist sentiment. He reiterated that Thailand is not prepared for negotiations if Cambodia continues its provocations, as the current atmosphere is not conducive to such discussions.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense further confirmed that the Buddha statues constructed in Thai border areas are entirely within Thai sovereignty. These statues hold symbolic significance and are part of a morale-boosting initiative, similar to the Naga-protected Buddha statue in the Chong An Ma area of Ubon Ratchathani province. The spokesperson noted that Cambodia's recent actions seem to be driven by various Cambodian agencies attempting to assert their influence, reflecting a political strategy by Cambodia.