Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:AFP

A new argument has started between Thailand and Cambodia—not over land this time, but over culture. Cambodia is angry at a Thai temple that looks very similar to Angkor Wat, a famous ancient temple in Cambodia.

This Thai temple, called Wat Phu Man Fa, is being built in Buri Ram, near the Cambodian border. Cambodia says the temple’s design is too much like Angkor Wat and that it hurts their culture and national identity. The temple is a huge project that started in 2020 and cost about $3 million.

Cambodia's culture minister said that copying Angkor Wat's design is not just unfair but also breaks an international agreement about protecting historical places.

Thailand, however, disagrees. Thai officials say the design is not a copy and that many temples in northeast Thailand have a similar look. The monk who planned the temple said he only wanted to show respect for Buddhist traditions, not copy anyone.

Interestingly, Cambodia had earlier said in 2021 that the Thai temple is not an exact copy of Angkor Wat. But now the argument has grown, especially after a recent deadly fight at the border between soldiers from both countries.

Since then, both nations have taken action against each other. Thailand put restrictions on people crossing the border, and Cambodia banned some Thai goods and TV shows.

Some experts in Cambodia want their government to complain to the United Nations about the temple. They say Thailand should create its own designs and stop copying from Cambodia.

People in Thailand think Cambodia is overreacting. They say that Khmer (Cambodian) art has always been part of Thai culture, especially in border regions.

This fight is not just about a building—it’s also about pride, history, and growing tensions between the two neighbors.