US attaché says Cambodian troop deployments at temples “normal”

  

The Thais can't seem to see the distinction between 'defensive' presence and 'offensive presence' at all and use their feigned ignorance to bombard these sacred temple sites, including the Preah Vihear temple. Also these ancient temples happen to perch right on top of the mountain range which falls within Cambodia's legally legitimate sovereignty according to the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1904-1907 which Thailand continues to refuse to recognise even after the 1962 ICJ verdict on Cambodia's ownership of the Preah Vihear temple and its vicinity. 

Accusing Cambodian troops of using these temples as "bunkers" has become the Thai military's favourite pretext for its callous destruction and desecration of these sacred sites, including the now severely damaged Preah Vihear temple which is listed as UNESCO's World Heritage Site. If there were no Cambodian troops stationed at all in these areas that fall within Cambodian sovereignty Thai troops would have simply walked into these areas without having to fire a single bullet, as they did in 1954 following the withdrawal of French colonial forces. The lightly armed Cambodian troops stationed at these temples for defensive purposes, moreover, posed no offensive threat to Thailand unless they were attacked first, mostly by Thai artillery and rockets. 

This is not the first time either that Thailand showed such disregard or vengeance towards Cambodia's sacred sites. Following the 1962 ICJ judgement over the Preah Vihear dispute the Thai army reportedly used elephants to pull down several central columns of the temple in obvious show of displeasure and revenge. Why else would they bomb Ta Krobey and Preah Vihear temples or demolish the Vishnu statue in the area during and after the recent clashes? 

These despicable actions could only speak of the moral depravity; callousness and barbarity of the perpetrators behind them while at the same time expose beyond any doubt the hypocrisy, lies and shamelessness of their apologists who are all too familiar on this site and other social media forums. 

-Social media 

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BANGKOK, Jan 24, 2026 — The Royal Thai Army on Thursday led a group of 23 military attachés from 20 countries to areas along Thailand’s border with Cambodia, the army said.

 

The delegation visited locations under the Suranaree Task Force in Ubon Ratchathani and Sisaket provinces on Thursday as part of an “Army Open House 1st Edition 2026” programme aimed at briefing foreign defence representatives on the security situation. The visit was led by Theeranant Nanthakhwang, director of the army’s intelligence department, according to a Thai military statement.

 

During the briefing, Matthew P. Stuck, the US assistant military attaché to Thailand, said it was normal for opposing sides to hold positions they regard as strategically important.

 

“It’s normal in warfare for each side to have its own strategic points,” he said, in remarks referring generally to troop deployments in contested areas.

 

Thailand has accused Cambodia of deploying troops near the Preah Vihear Temple, a long-disputed site on the border. Cambodia says its forces are deployed defensively within its territory.

 

The Preah Vihear area has been a recurring source of tension between Cambodia and Thailand despite international court rulings and bilateral talks.