Friday, June 13, 2008
ABC Radio Australia
With just one month to go before Cambodia submits an application for World Heritage listing for another of its magnificent temples, an ongoing border dispute with Thailand threatens to undermine the process.
Presenter: Bo Hill
Speakers: Srisakra Vallibhotama, anthropologist and archaeologist, Lek Prapai Foundation; Tharapong Srisuchat, director archaeology, Thailand Ministry of Culture
(MUSIC)
HILL: Built more than 800 years ago, the Preah Vihear temple has been a destination for pilgrims of many faiths. It sits on a mountain straddling Cambodia and Thailand, and although lesser known, it's by no means less spectacular then Cambodia's tourist-drawcard, Angkor Wat. Professor Srisakra Vallibhotama is a Thai archaeologist and anthropologist. He says while the Preah Vihear temple is a wonder in itself, the mountain and surrounds are also significant.
VALLIBHOTAMA: The temple was constructed by the King of Cambodia but when we review the history, that area is the sacred site where the spirit of the mountain resides and the people from both lowland and highland went up to pay homage.
HILL As well as its significance to pilgrims, the Preah Vihear temple is also part of an ongoing dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which Professor Srisakra says dates back to its status during French occupation:
VALLIBHOTAMA: That place is no mans land. It belongs to neither Cambodia or Thai. Because the border was created by the colonial period, the border created by the French.
HILL: The International Court of Justice recognised Cambodian claims over the temple in 1962, a decision Thailand accepted. In recent years, however, Cambodia's unilateral efforts to have the temple and surrounds World Heritage listed, have caused concern in Bangkok. Thailand says maps drawn by Cambodian officials show a border encroaching on Thai territory. Some revisions were made, and last year the dispute was supposedly settled at senior government level. But it resurfaced earlier this year, when the Thai Defence Ministry again accused Cambodia of misrepresenting the temple border -- putting World Heritage status efforts in limbo. Tharapong Srisuchat, the director of Thailand's Ministry of Culture's archaeology department, says Bangkok doesn't oppose Cambodia's efforts to have the temple World Heritage listed, as long as it's done fairly:
SRISUCHAT: By policy of Thai government we support that temple Preah Vihear be the World Heritage, Thai government support it. But we have to investigate about the how to management that area.
HILL: The management of the border, and how it's represented on a map, will be a key part of a submission to the United Nation's Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation's assessment next month. Local Thai media reported this week of further speculation in Bangkok about the accuracy of Cambodia's map. Professor Srisakra Vallibhotama says things would be easier if Cambodia and Thailand were working together.
VALLIBHOTAMA: We should join forces in order to make the temple be World Heritage. But if we settle in this matter we can talk about how we can compromise in terms of - we need to look at the temple, not only the temple but we must include the surroundings, because the temple itself is located in the centre of the community. And that area, the whole area, doesn't belong... become a no mans land that UNESCO can manage for the benefit of both sides.
Presenter: Bo Hill
Speakers: Srisakra Vallibhotama, anthropologist and archaeologist, Lek Prapai Foundation; Tharapong Srisuchat, director archaeology, Thailand Ministry of Culture
(MUSIC)
HILL: Built more than 800 years ago, the Preah Vihear temple has been a destination for pilgrims of many faiths. It sits on a mountain straddling Cambodia and Thailand, and although lesser known, it's by no means less spectacular then Cambodia's tourist-drawcard, Angkor Wat. Professor Srisakra Vallibhotama is a Thai archaeologist and anthropologist. He says while the Preah Vihear temple is a wonder in itself, the mountain and surrounds are also significant.
VALLIBHOTAMA: The temple was constructed by the King of Cambodia but when we review the history, that area is the sacred site where the spirit of the mountain resides and the people from both lowland and highland went up to pay homage.
HILL As well as its significance to pilgrims, the Preah Vihear temple is also part of an ongoing dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which Professor Srisakra says dates back to its status during French occupation:
VALLIBHOTAMA: That place is no mans land. It belongs to neither Cambodia or Thai. Because the border was created by the colonial period, the border created by the French.
HILL: The International Court of Justice recognised Cambodian claims over the temple in 1962, a decision Thailand accepted. In recent years, however, Cambodia's unilateral efforts to have the temple and surrounds World Heritage listed, have caused concern in Bangkok. Thailand says maps drawn by Cambodian officials show a border encroaching on Thai territory. Some revisions were made, and last year the dispute was supposedly settled at senior government level. But it resurfaced earlier this year, when the Thai Defence Ministry again accused Cambodia of misrepresenting the temple border -- putting World Heritage status efforts in limbo. Tharapong Srisuchat, the director of Thailand's Ministry of Culture's archaeology department, says Bangkok doesn't oppose Cambodia's efforts to have the temple World Heritage listed, as long as it's done fairly:
SRISUCHAT: By policy of Thai government we support that temple Preah Vihear be the World Heritage, Thai government support it. But we have to investigate about the how to management that area.
HILL: The management of the border, and how it's represented on a map, will be a key part of a submission to the United Nation's Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation's assessment next month. Local Thai media reported this week of further speculation in Bangkok about the accuracy of Cambodia's map. Professor Srisakra Vallibhotama says things would be easier if Cambodia and Thailand were working together.
VALLIBHOTAMA: We should join forces in order to make the temple be World Heritage. But if we settle in this matter we can talk about how we can compromise in terms of - we need to look at the temple, not only the temple but we must include the surroundings, because the temple itself is located in the centre of the community. And that area, the whole area, doesn't belong... become a no mans land that UNESCO can manage for the benefit of both sides.
13 comments:
This is a Khmer issue to settle. We should not used something created by the stupid French. They are not our boss and they have no business deciding anything in this area of the wood. All agreements and treaties must be invalidated.
No man land my fucking ass! It's our land you stupid motherfucker thais!!!!
This is ridiculous how the Thai government want to turn the issue of Khmer Phrea Vihear temple into something like the dispute of the TEMPLE MOUNT between the Jew and the Muslim!
It is ridiculous how the Thai government use such words as "the Phrea Vihear temple has been a destination for pilgrims of many faiths." So tell me what many faiths does the Thai government is talking about here? Isn't Thailand is a Buddhist country? And Cambodia is also a Buddhist country? Ahhahahhahah!
"That place is no mans land. It belongs to neither Cambodia or Thai." The fact is Cambodia has a clear define border with Thailand and there is no such thing as no man land or the white zone under the French colonial master of Indochina!
It is ridiculous how the Thai government continue to insist on co-managing of the whole area of the Khmer Phrea Vihear temple with Cambodia for economic reason! As far as I am concerned is that Thailand has committed serious violation of Cambodia sovereignty by advertising the Khmer Phrea Vihear temple as part of their tourist attraction without Cambodian permission! Cambodia must not commit economic prostitution and give into any Thailand demand because the issue of Khmer Phrea Vihear temple is strictly dealing Cambodia sovereignty! Please don’t mix economic benefit issue with the sovereignty issue because it is completely two different issues!
Cambodia has proved beyond any doubt that Khmer Phrea Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia in the world court in 1962! It is time that Thailand must respect the world court decision and stop being a sore loser! With or without Thailand the whole area of Khmer Phrea Vihear temple will be developed for Cambodia economic benefit and Thailand need to get out the way because Thailand has no business standing in the way of Cambodian progress and Cambodian economic development!
Again! Thailand needs to stop using Khmer Phrea Vihear temple in their advertisement for their tourism economic development without Cambodian permission!!!!!!!!
Human patient has its limit. If Thai still want to block the process, I think something will happen. Some Thai officials warned that this issue should not be involved in Cambodian politics. But it appears in Thailand politics already.
In some case i, personally thanks to French colonial to make clearer about the border line.
To the PURE Khmer Bloods in Thailand, and Vietnam,
Although you have been under the control of the Thais and Vietnamese for many years, we hope you may not forget your blood orgins.
You original country (Cambodia) have suffered too much from the expansionist policy of the Thais and the Vietnamese. We alone have fought with the two expansionists for many centuries to defend our territory. Unfortunately, we lost, lost and lost.
I hope that the new generation of khmers in Cambodia, in Vietnam and in Thailand will reunite and we will become single Khmer Nation one day.
We lost a lot, and we do not want to lose more. we must do something to recover the loss.
We, Khmers, have lost many pieces of our territory. That was because of our mistakes in the past. Our heart and spirit feel very painful that Khmer territory and you all khmers,by bloods, skins, language and spirit are now under the conrtol of others (The Vietnamese and The Thais).
We, Khmers in former Khmer territory now under the conrtol of Vietnam and Thai, must reunite and do something to save our nation to bring back our mighty and glory that our ancestors and heroes had endeavored for us.
Thai and Vietnamese will never stop stealing our land.
Look at the recent case of Preah Vihear Temples.
The government of present Cambodia must take strong actions, otherwise we will lose more. The former Khmer generations make mistakes for khmers, so this khmer generation must correct the mistakes.
Black Cat
What the hell he is talking about? This place is no mans land? Didn't he said this place was built by Cambodia king? If it so, it is belong to Cambodian. Of course back then most part of Thailand ws part of Cambodia and people from all destination came to worship here. Back then the people of lowland and highland were part of Cambodia. Until now, even those who came to worship here because they have Cambodian blood in them. If they are Thai-chinese I doubt it that they really want to come here. Honestly, those who comes to the temple they are Cambodian from the root. Anyway, this temple always belong to us (KHMER). To all Cambodia, I am proud of being Khmer. I wish that HUN SEN government had done more to not let the Thai have this issue with us. They claim everything as their i.e, like the Kick boxing that is Khmer marshal art, there is no such thing as Mouy Thai. Mouy Thai just created because they stole all the style from Khmer Pradal Serey (Free Kick Boxing). When the sport committee ask the Thai have proof they don't event have them. We got the proofs all over our temples (Prasat). I wish Khmer would send all the experts to deal with the issues that related to Cambodia with Thai. Jayo! Khmer!!
The Temple belongs to the Khmer people on both sides of the fence. Stop being so greedy, Ah stupid gorillas (above).
Ah Siamese is using an old curnning manner to convince the world oppinions for symphatise. Ah Siamese is vehemently their charactors to reclaming Preah Vihea back in the future though they won't recornize the listing process they just play friendly with HUN SEN GV, they are worying Khmer asking to return all the Preah Vihear artifacts that they have been stahing for long time.
Ah Siamese must be insane by using the word NO MAN LAND in that area or he can't see propperly with the single eye, HUN SEN should provide a therapist how to look and see better.
May god save Khmer Nation and protected SDACH-TA
in regard to the article, yes, and they always fail at the end of the day. it doesn't matter how many times they tried. let them talk to the wall. god bless cambodia.
"VALLIBHOTAMA: That place is no mans land. It belongs to neither Cambodia or Thai. Because the border was created by the colonial period, the border created by the French".
Not again.
What these individuals Thais are doing now is first of all they kill their own conscience. Secondly, when one analizes their remarks one may know these stupid Thais become cowardly arrogant saying the things that produce so much senselessness that smears on their own stupidity. The reflection through those despicable remarks indicates their lowliness as a people with a criminal background. Why should any Khmer bother to respond to these chuckleheads. These are the kind of individuals that spark the fire and that it can lead to stronger animosity and even a chaos in a society. These fire starters should be tired to a tree and shot with a bazooka then beheaded before crimation. Your stupidity that causes unnecessary chaos between the two countries. It is individuals like you, the stupid Thais, that are capable to create fear within your own Thai people. Some day you'll know the degree of your own stupidity.
there is no such thing as "no-man's land" in the history of cambodia. that terms is not in khmer mentality and thus we can not understand it. it is khmer land both present and in ancient time as well. once khmer will always be khmer's. too bad that he thai deserves hates from khmers. how sad! it will take a lot of repentence and kisses our khmer butty to make up and earn forgiveness from khmer people. i have not seen thailand do it yet. so, no love from cambodia to thailand.
Don't hold your breath, Dude. That will be the day when the Khmer-Thai will kissed any arse for their share of their inheritance.
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