Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed his disapproval of a scaled-down replica of the ancient Preah Vihear temple built in the border province of Si Sa Ket.
"Is it [the replica] appropriate?" Gen Prayut said, responding to the temple's replica built on Pha Mor E-Daeng, located on top of Khao Phra Viharn National Park, where visitors can clearly see the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia.
"Nothing should be built around there according to the regulations," he said, without explaining what regulations were involved.
The replica -- built at a 1-to-10 scale of the original temple and on a 600-by-600 metre plot -- was closed shortly after it opened to visitors amid concerns the project would hurt Thai-Cambodian relations.
Military craftsmen from the 23rd Ranger Regiment and the Suranari Task Force had worked for five months to build the miniature temple.
The project was said to be spearheaded by Col Thanasak Mitraphanont, commander of the 6th Infantry Regiment. The officer was transferred to an inactive post last week.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said he was aware that a group opposed the Preah Vihear replica but refused to say if it was a military or civilian group.
A survey must be carried out to determine whether the project's site was located in the disputed area between Thailand and Cambodia, he said.
He said Cambodian authorities have not filed complaints over the project with Thai officials.
On May 9, the Bangkok Post reported that contrary to Thai media reports, that Cambodia issued a fast and furious condemnation of the Preah Vihear temple replica.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan, on the day the replica was revealed in the press, said it went against "the principles of civilised nations".
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai yesterday said that relations between Thailand and Cambodia are good and the neighbouring country also insisted it had not expressed dissatisfaction over the replica. He said the project was an internal issue.
Mr Don said the construction of replicas such as that of the temple is common in many countries.
He noted it was unlikely Foreign Ministry officials wrote to the army asking it to suspend the project as he would be aware of the matter if the petition had been sent by ministry staff.