A temple complex being constructed in the north-east of Thailand has become mired in controversy, after it was claimed the design was an attempt to replicate Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument.
The Cambodian government reportedly plans to send archaeologists and temple architects to inspect whether the site is too similar to Angkor Wat, the national symbol depicted on the country’s flag.
Thai authorities, and the abbot behind the construction at the Sihanakhon temple complex, in Buriram province, which has already cost upwards of 100m baht (£2.25m), have denied trying to imitate the temple, saying it has much broader influences.
Khattiya Chaimanee, Buriram’s cultural official, said the design instead reflected the typical features of Khmer stone castles, which could be found across architecture in the south Isan region in the north-east of Thailand….
