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The Thai army has erected a Buddha statue on the contested border with Cambodia, intensifying ongoing territorial disputes. This installation follows the demolition of a Vishnu statue by Thai forces in December 2023, which sparked outrage in Cambodia.

The statue is located at a site known as An Ma in Thailand and An Ses in Cambodia, an area that has seen violent clashes leading to significant casualties. Cambodian officials criticized the new statue as undermining ceasefire agreements, while Thailand defended it as an act of religious respect.

The countries have a long-standing conflict stemming from colonial-era border demarcations, with disputes over 800 kilometers of territory. The violence in December claimed dozens of lives, and Cambodia has accused Thailand of territorial encroachment since the ceasefire.