Photo Courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

by Mitch Connor

 

Anticipation is growing among Thais for the reopening of the Preah Vihear temple ruins in Si Sa Ket after a 15-year suspension to boost tourism and promote peace dialogue with Cambodia. The temple has been inaccessible from Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district since 2008 due to border disputes between the two countries.

 

Soldiers from both Thailand and Cambodia remain stationed along the border in Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, and Surin. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2013 called for the withdrawal of armed forces from the temple ruins on the Cambodian side but allowed border patrol forces on the outer frontiers. Despite the ICJ resolution urging joint development of the area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple, no progress has been made since the 2011 ceasefire.

 

The Preah Vihear temple, once a popular tourist spot, has been inaccessible from Thai territory for over a decade. Local sources report numerous attempts by Thailand to collaborate with Cambodia on reopening tourism around the temple complex. However, these requests have been rejected, with the Cambodian government stating that only Prime Minister Hun Sen can make such decisions.

Both Thai and Cambodian soldiers continue to be deployed in the area surrounding the temple under the “5+5 Policy,” which requires five officers from each country to be stationed at the frontier’s coordination point. This policy aims to prevent misunderstandings and promote communication between the two sides.

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-and-cambodia-consider-reopening-preah-vihear-temple-to-boost-tourism

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-05-22

 

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Those sub's might come in handy after all.

It's a UNESCO world heritage site, access is not supposed to be controlled or denied by stubborn small organ males with limited education and common sense. How embarrassing for both countries.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Both Thai and Cambodian soldiers continue to be deployed in the area surrounding the temple under the “5+5 Policy,” which requires five officers from each country to be stationed at the frontier’s coordination point. This policy aims to prevent misunderstandings and promote communication between the two sides.

Those flexible borders, always troublesome.

Long overdue, they should have resolved their silly little border conflict a long time ago.