Students in Sisaket Build Replica of Preah Vihear [... to learn about CAMBODIA's history]

19 June 2009
Thai ASEAN News Network

A school in Sisaket province plans to construct a replica of Preah Vihear temple for the younger generation to learn about Cambodia's ancient history.

The plan to build a replica of Preah Vihear temple was initiated by Arunothai Aomkaew, a teacher of social, religion, and cultural studies, together with students of Srirattana Wittaya school in Sisaket province.

They wish to create an educational source about prehistory for students and youths in the district and districts nearby.

Arunothai stated that she and some students have taken several field trips to Preah Vihear temple, situated next to Preah Vihear National Park, in order to study the art and culture of ancient Cambodia.

Despite the world court's verdict that the temple belongs to Cambodia, Thailand still believes it should belong to Thailand.

Arunothai said she thought a replica of the temple built at the school would be beneficial to everyone, and she has gained approval from the school's director.

The replica will be built with the help of secondary students and has been given a 9,000 baht budget.

Govt responds angrily to reports of planned Preah Vihear replica [-Why get angry? Why not get even?]

Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Written by Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post

Thai media say a copy of the famed temple is on the horizon, while Cambodian officials threaten to complain to UNESCO.

CAMBODIAN officials have reacted strongly to Thai media reports that the country plans to build a replica of Preah Vihear temple along the border, saying it could violate international law.

Chuch Phoeun, secretary of state at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said that Preah Vihear's status as a UNESCO World Heritage site prohibited the construction of any building surrounding the temple site.

"It is impossible to replicate the temple without permission from the country that owns it," said Chuch Phoeun. "This is an intentional attempt by the Thais to stir up Cambodia because they are jealous of [us]." Chuch Phoeun added that if Bangkok violates the law, Cambodia will report it to UNESCO.

Thai media on Monday reported that Thailand planned to build a copy of the disputed 11th-century temple as a tourist attraction, and that local authorities had been ordered to undertake a feasibility study before the project begins.

"It is impossible to replicate the temple without permission from [the govt]"

The rumoured Thai plans are the latest shot fired in a border dispute that has been simmering since UNESCO listed Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site in July last year.

ASEAN urged to act

Ahead of the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting, which kicks off Wednesday in Phnom Penh, the Cambodia Watchdog Council (CWC), a local civil society group, called on ASEAN and EU officials to address the ongoing border standoff.

In a statement Monday, the CWC claims that since July 15 last year, Thai soldiers have continually violated Cambodian territory, but that numerous bilateral negotiations have failed.

"The ASEAN and EU members present for this two-day meeting have to raise the issue of Thai incursions into Cambodia," the statement said.

But Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said the Thai-Cambodia border standoff was not on the agenda for the meeting.

"We're not going to stop civil society from expressing their concern on this issue, but the government's principle is to resolve the conflict peacefully and bilaterally," he said.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is scheduled to visit Cambodia on June 12-13, when he is expected to hold border talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen.

[Thai] Locals Oppose Construction of Preah Vihear Temple Replica

25 May 2009
Thai Asean News Network

A private sector business has expressed interest in investing in the construction of a Preah Vihear temple replica to attract tourists. However, locals have expressed opposition to the plan.

Si Sa Ket Administrative Head Wichit Traisaranakul commented on the Preah Vihear temple replica that will be built in Thailand, saying that it will be less popular than the real one. The attraction of real Preah Vihear temple is its age --being that it is more than a thousand years old.

Wichit said that the construction may cause a conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The location of the proposed construction of the Preah Vihear temple replica is sensitive and has the potential to create a conflict with Cambodia. He suggsted that authorities conduct a feasibility study before starting the project.

He said he thinks that the authorities should invest in the development of tourist attraction and local surroundings in Pha Mor E-Dang , rather than building the temple replica.

Si Sa Ket Provincial Governor Rapee Pongbuppakij echoed the same sentiments, saying that there should be a comprehensive study prior to the construction of a replica.

Thailand want to build a replica of Preah Vihear ... this is a sincere flattery for Cambodia

Local authorities warn about building Preah Vihear replica

SI SA KET, May 24 (TNA) – Provincial authorities have warned the private sector to conduct a thorough study, including an impact assessment on the issue of Thai-Cambodian relations, before deciding to build a replica of the Preah Vihear temple in the northeastern Thai border province.

Si Sa Ket governor Rapi Pongbuphakit said he supported any constructive idea to develop the area but the idea to build the replica of the Preah Vihear temple at Pha Mor E-daeng, an area close to the stairway leading to Preah Vihear temple, needed a special and thorough study.

The issue was very important, especially in the aspect of environmental concerns and border security, he said. He added he couldn’t tell if he agreed with the idea or not at the moment.

Although the planned construction site is in Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district, it is not far from the Preah Vihear temple.

An international court awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, but a 4.6-square km (1.9-square mile) parcel of land surrounding it remains the subject of territorial claims by the two countries.

The disputed area, adjacent to the ancient temple, has long been a source of tension between Thailand and Cambodia.

Meanwhile, Vichit Trisaranakul, chairman of the provincial administrative organisation said detailed feasibility studies were needed. The real Preah Vihear and its history attracted tourists. He suggested beautifying the surrounding location was better than building the temple replica, close to the real temple.