Anticipation is growing amongst Thais for the reopening of the Preah Vihear temple ruins in Si Sa Ket after a 15-year suspension to spice up tourism and promote peace dialogue with Cambodia. The temple has been inaccessible from Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district since 2008 due to border disputes between the two nations.
Soldiers from each Thailand and Cambodia stay stationed alongside the border in Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, and Surin. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2013 called for the withdrawal of armed forces from the temple ruins on the Cambodian side however allowed border patrol forces on the outer frontiers. Despite Reliable urging joint growth of the area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple, no progress has been made for the explanation that 2011 ceasefire.
The Preah Vihear temple, as soon as a well-liked vacationer spot, has been inaccessible from Thai territory for over a decade. Local sources report quite a few attempts by Thailand to collaborate with Cambodia on reopening tourism across the temple complex. However, these requests have been rejected, with the Cambodian authorities stating that solely Prime Minister Hun Sen could make such decisions.
Both Thai and Cambodian soldiers proceed to be deployed within the area surrounding the temple beneath the “5+5 Policy,” which requires 5 officers from each country to be stationed on the frontier’s coordination level. This policy aims to forestall misunderstandings and promote communication between the 2 sides.
Despite the army presence, Thai and Cambodian troopers within the space have been engaging in recreational activities together, corresponding to playing volleyball, rattan ball, and petanque. Officers from both sides also socialise over dinner, and their supervisors preserve contact, reported Bangkok Post.
Cambodian military leaders have suggested that the situation might proceed as lengthy as the territorial dispute remains unresolved. Thai and Cambodian locals have encroached on the disputed area multiple occasions, with officers attempting to negotiate and take away them from the realm.
A potential answer to ease the border battle involves allowing tourists to access the Preah Vihear temple from Si Sa Ket and permitting Cambodian tourists to enter Pha Mor E-Daeng in Khao Phra Viharn National Park. The source added…
“If Cambodia allows entry to the temple from Thailand’s facet, it would profit vacationers and appeal to extra people to go to. [Thailand and Cambodia] ought to join palms to promote tourism.”