Phnom penh: Buddhist monks and local officials in Oddar Meanchey province have accused the Thai military of deliberately destroying a sacred temple and targeting civilian facilities during cross-border hostilities between July 24 and 28.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Venerable Lay Lorn, a resident Buddhist monk at the Tamone Senchey Temple in Banteay Ampil district, stated that Thai forces used F-16 fighter jets and heavy artillery to attack the site. He said the temple's main hall, monks' residences, and dining hall were all destroyed.
His account was made on Aug. 10 during a visit by a 14-member delegation of military attach©s from nine countries inspecting damage from the offensive.
According to Venerable Lay Lorn, two F-16 jets conducted bombing runs, each dropping two munitions, while continuous artillery fire targeted the temple grounds.
The monk condemned the attacks as an "inhumane act" and a "war crime," calling them a violation of Buddhist sanctity and an assault on both civilians and religion. He appealed to Buddhist devotees and the public for help to rebuild the temple, vowing not to abandon the site.
The temple's caretaker, Prum Chenda, corroborated the account, calling the Thai military's actions "extremely cruel" and confirming that one elderly clergyman was killed in the attack.
In addition to the temple, reports indicate that the offensive also destroyed the Tamone Senchey Primary School, a gas station, and numerous civilian homes in the Banteay Ampil district. It was also alleged that cluster munitions-a type of weapon banned under international law-were dropped on civilian areas on July 24.