Minister Claims Right to Rebuild Preah Vihear Market

Destroyed market (Photo: Reuters)

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
13 August 2009

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Thursday dismissed Thailand’s stance against rebuilding of a market near the contested border at Preah Vihear temple.

Thai officials have opposed the rebuilding of Psar Prasat, claiming it violates a border agreement between the two countries made in 2000.

The market of 262 stalls belonging to 319 families was destroyed in fighting between the two sides April 3, and Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered Preah Vihear provincial authorities to rebuild it.

Thailand sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs July 30, claiming reconstruction violated a border demarcation agreement.

However, Hor Namhong told reporters outside the Foreign Ministry on Thursday that Cambodia had the right to rebuild the market.

“What Cambodia does does not depend on the satisfaction or non-satisfaction of Thailand,” he said. “What is in the interest of Cambodia and what is in the rights of Cambodia, Cambodiamust do.”

Cambodia demanded $2.1 million in compensation from the Thai government, claiming Thai soldiers had destroyed the market with rocket fire, but has so far received no money.

Preah Vihear Governor Sar Thavy said Thursday the provincial government had so far rebuilt 183 stalls and built a water reservoir and public toilet.

“I reconstructed a new market on our soil,” he said. “It is not affecting anyone, because in the place of the destroyed market, our people have lived and made their businesses since before the 15 July 2008 military event.

Preah Vihear market construction begins

Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Thet Sambath
The Phnom Penh Post

CAMBODIAN soldiers in Preah Vihear province are taking the first steps towards rebuilding a market near Preah Vihear temple that was destroyed by Thai rocket fire in April.

Cut timber is currently being brought to Preah Vihear temple in pickup trucks, officials said.

Because the roads are poor, soldiers have needed to carry the timber partway to the site where the new market will soon be assembled.

"Everything is cut before it is sent to the construction site," said Hang Soth, general director of the Preah Vihear National Authority. "We will just raise the timber, connect them together and it's fixed."

Prime Minister Hun Sen earlier this month said the market should have been completed by July 19, though Hang Soth said at the time that that deadline was unrealistic.

Due to inclement weather, authorities did not want to predict when the market would be completed.

"I don't know when it will be finished because now it is the rainy season," said Sor Thavy, the deputy governor of Preah Vihear province.

Ros Heng, deputy governor of Preah Vihear's Choam Ksan district, said the market could bolster tourism when the border dispute with Thailand calms down.

"The market will serve all tourists," he said.

Hang Soth said the market would be constructed with wood, zinc and thatch, and that its style would be in keeping with that of Preah Vihear temple itself.