Preah Vihear National Authority under criticism from soldiers

Monday, November 03, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Cambodian soldiers and officers stationed in Preah Vihear temple have criticized the Preah Vihear National Authority (PVNA) for not taking measure to cut grass that are growing all around the Preah Vihear temple, nor does it pay attention to the environment in that area. Soldiers stationed there said that tall grass and weeds are growing all around the Preah Vihear temple, and the PVNA did not send anybody to cut the grass out from this area at all. Furthermore, tall grass are also growing all along the path from Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak pagoda all the way to the temple, on a distance of about 300-meter, and the PVNA turned a blind eye on this situation which makes it difficult to travel along as this path is already narrow to start with.

Cambodia plans to build a road to Preah Vihear Temple

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

An official from the Preah Vihear National Authority (PVNA) indicated that a Chinese company is studying for the building of a road to the Preah Vihear Temple in the very near future, and the construction will be undertaken prior to the listing of the temple in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Koh Santepheap newspaper quoted Ty Yav, PVNA director, who said last week that the Chinese company is studying to build a road reaching Preah Vihear Temple because the road which was built earlier is somewhat damaged in certain areas. He said: “We will send our technicians to study and draw up a blueprint for the repair of the road infrastructure, as well as repairing the gate of the temple before the Preah Vihear Temple will be listed as a World Heritage Site.” The 6-km-long road to the Preah Vihear Temple, built by Chea Sophara, the former governor of Phnom Penh city, is damaged at a number of areas. Nevertheless, there is no indication yet on the cost to build this road.

Cambodia to develop Preah Vihear into tourism spot

Preah Vihear Temple (Photo: Koh Santepheap newspaper)

PHNOM PENH, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian government will develop the Preah Vihear temple near the border with Thailand into a tourism spot in an effort to reach the goal of attracting 3 million tourists annually by 2010, local press reported Tuesday.

"Tourists will not be able to reach the Preah Vihear temple if the potential area is not developed," Tourism Minister Thong Khon was quoted by English-Khmer language newspaper the Mekong Times assaying during his recent visit there.

Hang Soth, general director of the newly-established Preah Vihear National Authority, said that roads and infrastructure should be developed first so as to attract tourists.

"The aim of our development is to attract tourists and preserve the temple," he said.

The temple is expected to rival the Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province after development is completed, he added.

Thailand and Cambodia used to dispute over who owned the temple. But recently, the Thai government has said that it would not oppose Cambodia's bid to list the temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Preah Vihear temple was built from year 900 to 1100. It was occupied by Thailand from 1949 to 1952. In 1962, the Hague International Court decided that the ownership of the temple went to Cambodia.