SOME Sisaket MPs want Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to negotiate with Cambodian leader Hun Manet on reopening the gate to Preah Vihear temple ruins from Khao Phra Viharn National Park on the Thai side during his visit to the neighbouring country next month, Naewna newspaper said today (Jan. 20).
Dr. Phumin Lee Teeraprasert, a Pheu Thai MP for Sisaket’s constituency 4, said on Jan. 2 he and six other Phue Thai MPs for this province had an opportunity to ask to Srettha start the negotiations on reopening this access to the Unesco World Heritage Site and he scheduled a meeting for Wednesday Jan. 24 on this issue prior to his visit to Cambodia on Feb. 7.
In 1962, after a lengthy dispute between Cambodia and Thailand over ownership, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that the temple was in Cambodia. However the court said only the temple buildings belonged to Cambodia, while the direct way to access the temple was from Thailand, but currently, as of at least 2015, the only access is from inside Cambodia.
“Many people are wondering whether the gate will open in February, nothing is clear. We have to wait for the result of the talks between Thai and Cambodian prime ministers.
“But I believe deep down, a relaxation and reopening of the access to Preah Vihear temple would demonstrate good relations between Thailand and Cambodia, for that reason I believe there is a high possibility it will reopen,” he said.
This landmark is very popular with tourists who currently go up Pha Mo E Dang cliff close to the entrance of Preah Vihear temple within Khao Phra Viharn National Park to get a beautiful view of a sea of mist from the end of the rainy season through the beginning of the cool season. Visitors can also see ancient bas-relief carvings over 1,500 years old there.
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Top and Front Page: The locked gate to the direct access to Preah Vihear temple ruins. Photos: Naewna
Insert: Preah Vihear Temple. Photo: AKP and published by Khmer Times
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