Khao Phra Wihan National Park to be reopened during Songkran

SI SA KET (NNT) -- The Khao Phra Wiharn National Park will be temporarily reopened for tourists during Songkran festival starting from 10 to 18 April with an aim to gauge their feedback after the area was ordered closed due to clash between Thai army rangers and Cambodian troops last year.

Rapee Phongbuphakij, Governor of Si Sa Ket province, stated that the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) in collaboration with the 2nd Army Region and Si Sa Ket province has scheduled to reopen the Khao Phra Wihan National Park during Songkran festival after the disputed area has been declared closed since 3 April 2009 for security concerns.

Mr Rapee said tourists will be allowed access to six areas around the park. Those are Phu Noi, Noen Nub Dao, the cultural pavilion, local markets in Thai side of the border, Pha Mo E-daeng and the bas-relief sculture zone.

Also, the Department has asked for cooperation from tourists to only travel along the defined routes without carrying any weapons, ammunitions and fire crackers. Also, tourists will be prohibited to take photographs of military bunkers or even army weapons while motorcycles, bicycles and the pick-up trucks carrying tanks of water will not be permitted to pass up the hill due to safety concerns.

Mr Rapee said that the reopening purpose of the National Park is aimed at building security confidence and maintaining orderliness in order to regain public confidence. He said if no problems found, the 2nd Army Region and Suranaree Army camp will make further consideration to open the park permanently. The opening and closing time for the park will be at 7.00 hr-17.00 hr.

-- NNT 2010-04-07

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Good news, but why has it been closed for so long if it's safe to open it now? What do they mean by 'if no problems found'? there never were any problems until the Cambodians decided it was theirs. The problem is deciding where the border runs, and is nothing to do with tourists.