The Cambodian public have decried the destruction of the ancient Khmer temple of Ta Krabei, built in the 11th century, after it a video showed it being struck by Thai bombs during the latest armed conflicts.
The temple, located in Sen Monorom 1 village, Kouk Khpos commune in Banteay Ampil district of Oddar Meanchey province, is in a contested area that both Cambodia and Thailand claim. In Thai, the temple is known as Ta Kwai, which translates the same as the Khmer name, Grandfather Buffalo.
In a video which went viral on social media, the temple was bombed by Thai military on December 8, day two of the renewed conflict between the two neighbouring kingdoms.
The Cambodian public asked a single question about why the Thai army would destroy the priceless temple they also claim.
“A biological mother cherishes and gently cares for her beloved child, never letting anyone harm them, nor daring to hurt the child herself. However, a fake mother is not afraid to harm the child she has seized, simply because the child is not truly hers. She is not afraid to cause the child pain when she cannot possess them,” said Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra.
“Witnessing this situation, it is truly heartbreaking for the magnificent heritage left by our Khmer ancestors: Ta Krabei Temple. This brutal act demonstrates immorality and reveals contempt for culture, civilisation, and sacred sites that are the heritage of all of humanity,” he added.
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at Royal Academy of Cambodia, posted the same question, and provided the answer.
“If that temple were truly their own, why would these invading thieves attack and destroy it? This most cruel and barbaric act by these invaders clearly demonstrates to the world that Thailand is truly an invading thief, without a doubt,” he said.
“The Khmer are the owners of the temple, the owners of the territory and the owners of the heritage, with a clear and long-standing history,” he added.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts issued a December 9 public notice that the ministry has been in regular contact with national and international institutions to request intervention to stop the Thai military from destroying ancient sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Preah Vihear temple, which has also been damaged in the latest fighting.
As of December 10, there have been no reports in Thai media outlet on the temple bombings.
The Nation Thailand media outlet reported on December 8, the same day of the temple being bombed, about shelling on a Cambodian cable car line near the temple, saying the cable was destroyed.
