Thailand’s Kantharalak district to reopen Preah Vihear temple after 16 years

[webfact]

 

The district of Kantharalak in Si Sa Ket, Thailand, is buzzing with anticipation as it prepares to reopen access to the Preah Vihear temple after 16 years.

 

The decision to establish a temporary checkpoint for entry into the Cambodian temple followed Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s recent visit to the province. The move has sparked excitement among the locals, who view it as a significant step towards boosting tourism and trade between Thailand and Cambodia.

 

Anupong Suksomnit, Governor of Si Sa Ket, confirmed that the checkpoint would provide passage for tourists and locals from both countries. This move comes after a 16-year closure due to a territorial dispute between the two countries in 2008, which revolved around the area surrounding the ancient site.

 

To display their readiness for this development, local authorities arranged a media tour across different sectors in Si Sa Ket. The enthusiasm was palpable as everyone is eager to get things moving.

Authorities in Si Sa Ket have rallied a task force to gear up for the border’s reopening, said Jit Ardsanjorn, the chief of the Khao Phra Viharn National Park. All sectors are ready and simply waiting for the government’s go-ahead.

She further revealed that the region’s tourist attractions are prepared to receive visitors. New hotels and resorts have sprung up in Kantharalak to host incoming tourists, while local shops and facilities have undergone renovation.

 

Jit is optimistic that the checkpoint’s opening will significantly increase tourism numbers. She predicted a surge from the current 170,000 tourists per year to approximately 700,000, mirroring past figures, reported Bangkok Post.

 

The push for the checkpoint’s opening has been a focal point for the Interior Ministry under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s government, aiming to stimulate the tourism sector. This move was further solidified by a meeting between Prime Minister Srettha and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on February 7 to discuss the matter.

 

by Mitch Connor 

Photo courtesy of Wassana Nanuam

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-03-11

 

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[Tropicalevo]

Apart from the temple, there is not a lot in Preah Vihear.

Maybe the Khmers will open a casino or two?

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

prepares to reopen access to the Preah Vihear temple after 16 years

Looks like they got a fair amount of work.

[Guderian]

The Cambodians had a plan to build a cable car on their side of the escarpment up to the temple, so getting around Thailand's control of the easy access to it. Sadly, it never seems to have materialised, even with their friends in Beijing who could probably have built it in a year or two.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Apart from the temple, there is not a lot in Preah Vihear.

Maybe the Khmers will open a casino or two?

Thais will love that, cross over for a days gambling, ir will they still do that at Aranyaprathet?

[Burma Bill]

Thailand’s Kantharalak district to reopen Preah Vihear temple after 16 years

 

A very misleading headline. Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO and major tourist site, has always been open as it is wholly within a mountainous area of Cambodia. As you can see in the photo, from the Thai side a pair of closed rusty barbed wire covered gates will, I presume, be opened to provide foot passage to the stone steps ascending to the temple. There is no road access from Thailand, just the steps - it is so mountainous. From the Cambodian side, a steep winding road has to be negotiated. You have to park at "base camp" and change to 4WDs driven by trained locals to the temple car park area above. No such chance for cross-border trade and traffic - impossible when I visited pre-covid.

 

 

Edited March 11 by Burma Bill
additional information

[Burma Bill]

6 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Maybe the Khmers will open a casino or two?

 

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Thais will love that, cross over for a days gambling, ir will they still do that at Aranyaprathet?

 

Poipet in Cambodia, across from Aranyaphrathet in Thailand, is very popular with Thais and other international gamblers who pack the resorts and casinos, especially at weekends.

There are no casinos near Preah Vihear, however westwards along the same mountain ridge at the Chong Sangam (Sisaket, Thailand) Choam (Cambodia) border crossing is the mountain top, luxurious Sangam Resort and Casino in Cambodia, again very popular with Thais and foreigners especially from the Surin/Sisaket and Ubon regions. Surprisingly, it is Khmer owned, not Chinese (as I have reliably been informed).

 

 

 

 

 

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

I visited Khao Phra Viharn a couple of times back in the previous millennium.

 

At the time, there was a downed helicopter of Soviet make that had been used by the Khmers Rouge attesting to their use of the site as a refuge. There were also signs warning not to venture away from the temple area due to landmines. I think the Cambodians have removed the helicopter, but am not sure about mine clearance.

 

A bit off the beaten track for most foreign visitors, but popular with Thais. I'll visit again if/when the gate is reopened.

 

 

[Burma Bill]

3 minutes ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

I visited Khao Phra Viharn a couple of times back in the previous millennium.

 

At the time, there was a downed helicopter of Soviet make that had been used by the Khmers Rouge attesting to their use of the site as a refuge. There were also signs warning not to venture away from the temple area due to landmines. I think the Cambodians have removed the helicopter, but am not sure about mine clearance.

 

A bit off the beaten track for most foreign visitors, but popular with Thais. I'll visit again if/when the gate is reopened.

 

 

 

Regarding landmines, the UNESCO site of Preah Vihear is now clear of such devastating weaponry. However, it would be very unwise to try and trek through the mountainside forests from the Thai side of the border - keep to the stone steps. This area of Northern Cambodia became the last stronghold of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Now a very popular tourist attraction with tours from Siem Reap.

 

[sabaijai]

Any updates on whether access from the Thai side has been opened?

[Burma Bill]

4 hours ago, sabaijai said:

Any updates on whether access from the Thai side has been opened?

 As far as I am aware "NO".

 

February 2024:

 

Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 8 – There was no mention of the reopening of Preah Vihear Temple access for Thai tourists during the bilateral talks between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on 7 February 2024.

Jean François Tan, Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister spoke at a press conference on 7 February 2024 after Samdech Thipadei concluded his official visit to Thailand.

 

https://m.en.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/45705-2024-02-08-04-07-40.html

 

Two interesting issues back in 2023; (a stumbling block?)

 

if the Cambodian government agrees to reopen the border, which would allow Thai and international tourists direct access to Preah Vihear Temple from Thailand, Cambodia retains the sole right to sell tickets to the ancient site.

 

 

“This is to acknowledge our culture and recognise Preah Vihear as part of Cambodia to tourists,” said Phea, “Temple guides must be Cambodian and Thai guides will not be allowed,” he said.

Phea added that this condition is to ensure that Thai guides wouldn’t introduce incorrect information about the temple to tourists.

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501294840/thailand-requests-reopening-of-preah-vihear-temple-access/

Edited June 1 by Burma Bill
additional information

[sabaijai]

2 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 As far as I am aware "NO".

 

February 2024:

 

Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 8 – There was no mention of the reopening of Preah Vihear Temple access for Thai tourists during the bilateral talks between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on 7 February 2024.

Jean François Tan, Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister spoke at a press conference on 7 February 2024 after Samdech Thipadei concluded his official visit to Thailand.

 

https://m.en.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/45705-2024-02-08-04-07-40.html

 

Two interesting issues back in 2023; (a stumbling block?)

 

if the Cambodian government agrees to reopen the border, which would allow Thai and international tourists direct access to Preah Vihear Temple from Thailand, Cambodia retains the sole right to sell tickets to the ancient site.

 

 

“This is to acknowledge our culture and recognise Preah Vihear as part of Cambodia to tourists,” said Phea, “Temple guides must be Cambodian and Thai guides will not be allowed,” he said.

Phea added that this condition is to ensure that Thai guides wouldn’t introduce incorrect information about the temple to tourists.

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501294840/thailand-requests-reopening-of-preah-vihear-temple-access/

Thanks for this.