Cambodia Replaces Hindu Idol with Buddha Statue on Sensitive Border

Cambodia Replaces Hindu Idol with Buddha Statue on Sensitive Border

Buddha Statue Erected Near Disputed Thai-Cambodia Border, Replacing Hindu Icon A recent development on the historically sensitive Thai-Cambodia border has reignited discussions about sovereignty, religion, and cultural heritage. Authorities in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province have unveiled a new Buddha statue at the foot of the Dangrek Mountains, built on the site where a Hindu deity statue once stood. This move has drawn attention and concern, highlighting the delicate interplay between national identity, religious symbolism, and unresolved territorial claims in Southeast Asia. The Disputed Landscape: A History of Tension The Thai-Cambodia border, particularly around the Preah Vihear temple complex and the surrounding Dangrek Mountains, has been a point of contention for decades. The dispute is deeply rooted in colonial-era maps and was brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In a landmark 1962 ruling, the ICJ awarded the ancient Hindu temple of Preah Vihear to Cambo…