DPA
PHNOM PENH - Cambodians living on the border near an 11th century Hindu temple newly listed as a World Heritage site danced with joy Tuesday, students waved national flags in the streets and a celebratory fireworks display was announced.
Preah Vihear, called Prasat Prasat Phra Viharn by Thais, is sacred to both sides but was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court in The Hague in 1962. It became Cambodia's third UN World Heritage site, after Angkor Wat temple complex and the national ballet.
"Of course we are overjoyed, the people on the border are dancing. It is a good day for Cambodia," the government official in charge of Preah Vihear, Hang Soth, said by telephone.
Thailand had called for a joint listing by the two nations, citing disputed border territory and the fact that some associated sites of the temple lie within Thai territory.
Cambodian media could not resist a subdued show of nationalism, with a live feed from the UN meeting in Quebec, Canada by private television network CTN at 3 am for Deputy Prime Minister Sok An to personally announce the news.
The ruling Cambodian People's Party network Apsara featured a picture of Prime Minister Hun Sen ringed by stars as it read the entire ruling by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) later in the morning.
But the government took pains not to fan nationalistic sparks too hard, and Hun Sen promptly stated that Thailand remained "a good neighbour."
Emotions run high between the neighbour countries over cultural heritage. In 2003, an angry mob burned the Thai embassy and several businesses after false rumours that a Thai actress had claimed the nation's icon, Angkor Wat, was Thai.
Hun Sen also reiterated that King Norodom Sihamoni had pursued the listing since his time as Cambodian ambassador to UNESCO from the early 1990's until his accession to the throne in 2004, and insisted the issue was independent of local politics.
At a press conference in the capital, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong was jubilant.
"This is a victory of our Cambodian government," Hor Namhong said. "But much more important than this, this is the victory of Khmer civilization."
Preah Vihear, called Prasat Prasat Phra Viharn by Thais, is sacred to both sides but was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court in The Hague in 1962. It became Cambodia's third UN World Heritage site, after Angkor Wat temple complex and the national ballet.
"Of course we are overjoyed, the people on the border are dancing. It is a good day for Cambodia," the government official in charge of Preah Vihear, Hang Soth, said by telephone.
Thailand had called for a joint listing by the two nations, citing disputed border territory and the fact that some associated sites of the temple lie within Thai territory.
Cambodian media could not resist a subdued show of nationalism, with a live feed from the UN meeting in Quebec, Canada by private television network CTN at 3 am for Deputy Prime Minister Sok An to personally announce the news.
The ruling Cambodian People's Party network Apsara featured a picture of Prime Minister Hun Sen ringed by stars as it read the entire ruling by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) later in the morning.
But the government took pains not to fan nationalistic sparks too hard, and Hun Sen promptly stated that Thailand remained "a good neighbour."
Emotions run high between the neighbour countries over cultural heritage. In 2003, an angry mob burned the Thai embassy and several businesses after false rumours that a Thai actress had claimed the nation's icon, Angkor Wat, was Thai.
Hun Sen also reiterated that King Norodom Sihamoni had pursued the listing since his time as Cambodian ambassador to UNESCO from the early 1990's until his accession to the throne in 2004, and insisted the issue was independent of local politics.
At a press conference in the capital, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong was jubilant.
"This is a victory of our Cambodian government," Hor Namhong said. "But much more important than this, this is the victory of Khmer civilization."
11 comments:
Thank you. Finally justice prevails. We're now ready to fight for all the surrounding areas that illegally occupied by Thailand who violated 1907 French's treaty.
The terrorist in Cambodia grabbed temple and land from Khmer people in Issan province because they wouldn't married to their uggly face.
He heee Uggly face!!! Ah Thai sam re
I will leave CANADA and hit traight to MY BEUTIFUL PRASAT PREAS VIHEA and I WILL GO AROUND and KISSING EVERY ONE OF ROCK that STAND for my PRASAT PREAS VIHEA .
THANK LORD BUDHA TO REALEASE KHMER PRASAT PREAS VIHEA from MONSTER SIAM.
and also my SUV license plate is ( PP-VIHEA ) I LOVE THAT NAME...!!!!
Dear 11:39 PM
If you are willing to work free for her dad for two years, his urggly daughter will marry you. Don't forget you will automatically become a real Khmer citizen not a fake one in Issan province. You're then allowed to step on our Preah Vihear.
to 11:39 PM....
You does not represent the thai people in general. We are the REAL Thais believe that only small group of thai politicians and others are trying to disturb the good relationship of the two countries. We never have been against Cambodia for the listing of the temple.
You are not thai's friend, but thai's slave. You are disgrace and bring bad reputation to our thai people. So, stop your stupid dream of getting the temple.
we already have the temple , SIAM extremist 12:06 AM , We will take care of our Prasat Peas Vihea day and night , make sure extremist SIAM like you stay a way from HER.
YOU SIAM LEADER TRY TO KILL US ALL DURING 1979/85 AT KHMER/SIAM BORDER , EVENT IN THE REFUGEE CAMP YOU SIAM NOT ALLOW TO STUDY ENLISH , BECAUSE YOU AND YOU LEADER CONCERN THAT KHMER WELL EDUCATE WILL GO BACK TO CAMBODIA AND TAKE BACK ALL THE THING THAT YOU STOLE FROM US.
I am one of the servivor , and i will try to help my KHMERS BROTHER AND SISTER in CAMBODIA to take anything that you SIAM STEAL from CAMBODIA.
we are not dreaming YOUR dark day are coming.
Thailand must fight for the return of the temple that belong to Khmer people in Issan province.
To the Khmer Issan in 2:36 AM. You do not represent the thai people in general. We are the REAL Thais believe that only small group of thai politicians and others are trying to disturb the good relationship of the two countries. We have never been against Cambodia for the listing of the temple.
You are not thai's friend, but thai's slave. You are disgrace and bring bad reputation to our thai people. So, stop your stupid dream of getting the temple. It belongs to Cambodia, not your stupid slave of our king. It is wasting off our thais money and time to educate stupid people like you.
3:13am, I don't know what you're talking about! Are you trying to say that you guys know nothing about the protest against the listing of Phreah Vihear? oh my god?! Are you that stupid or just pretending? Don't try to hide it. we all know you have been like this through out the history. So don't try to clean yourselves!
THANKS KI FOR POSTING THIS ISSUES PLEASE UPDATED ANY NEWS FOR OUR READERS, BUT DON'T BIASES JUST DO IT BY YOUR PROFESSIONALISM OK!!!!!
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