Prime Minister Anutin declared that statues cannot be compared to soldiers' lives after India condemned Thailand for destroying a Hindu deity statue. He requested waiting for the GBC results, hoping Cambodia will uphold its promises if a signing takes place. He stressed that Thailand's response was due to being invaded by another country, and thus it had to retaliate accordingly.
On 25 December 2025 GMT+7 at the Government House, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, was interviewed about the Thailand-Cambodia border situation following the General Border Committee (GBC) secretaries-level meeting between Thai and Cambodian sides in Chanthaburi. He asked for patience, saying there are still three days left in the meeting. He described yesterday's session as just the beginning of the process, likening it to an initial greeting. When reporters noted that the meeting lasted only half an hour and ended abruptly, he commented that anyone could laugh all day.
When asked whether Cambodia's side was concerned about security, the Prime Minister responded immediately that there was no such concern. The meeting was held at the border area, with both sides showing good attitudes, and all parties agreed on the venue. Thailand firmly maintains there is no plan to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Therefore, efforts must be reasonable and follow the National Security Council (NSC) resolutions at the bilateral level. Unless there is an urgent necessity, discussions must proceed bilaterally between Thailand and Cambodia only.
Regarding expectations for the meeting outcomes, the Prime Minister said to wait for the results first. He had previously heard Thailand's proposed framework from representatives attending the meeting. The negotiation steps and methods should be decided on-site during the process.
Concerning the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson's statement criticizing the Thai military for dismantling a Hindu deity statue (the eight-armed warrior) at Chong An Ma area, identifying the destroyed statue as Lord Vishnu and calling the act disrespectful and hurtful to believers, the Prime Minister said he had not received a report on this matter. However, it is a bilateral negotiation issue under the NSC's jurisdiction and must be handled bilaterally. Therefore, Thailand should not be swayed by anything outside this framework. About the statue, he emphasized that compared to soldiers' lives and limbs lost, including arms and legs, the statue's destruction should be considered accordingly.
"If we compare the damaged statue to the many legs lost by our soldiers and then compare that to acts of disrespect, I will not equate those matters," he stated.
When asked about the Cambodian Ministry of Defense sending a letter to the Thai Defense Minister expressing a desire to negotiate a ceasefire through the GBC mechanism, which was later said not to be a ceasefire negotiation request, the Prime Minister clarified that no official letter existed. The situation is about Thailand responding to an invasion attack by another country, and Thailand must retaliate according to the rules of engagement. Today's meeting will continue the GBC discussions.
The Prime Minister added that once the meeting concludes, both sides must adhere to the results and the committees established by both parties.