Thursday, 31 January 2008

Preah Vihear temple part of Thailand

As a Khmer architecture junkie, I find Dr Reiff's rationale somewhat presumptive in maintaining that since the Preah Vihear temple has Hindu elements, it therefore should belong to Cambodia (Postbag, Jan 29).

There are many temples along the royal road from Angkor Wat to Phimai (such as Surin, Prachin Buri and Buri Ram) that have Hindu elements and Khmer style of architecture, and yet, indisputably they belong to the modern Siam (Thailand).

Phnom Rung in Buri Ram, another potential World Heritage site with plenty of Khmer art, is definitely not claimable by Cambodia.

The judgement of the Court of Justice in The Hague on the territory of Preah Vihear temple was only a legalistic interpretation and, with due respect to the court, all the Thai governments since the ruling date have accepted the decision.

However, it is an indisputable fact that natural access to the Preah Vihear temple has to be made through Thai territory and hence physically it is difficult for visitors not to view the temple as being within Thai territory.

In theory, the temple may belong to Cambodia, but in practice, the temple is part of Thailand.
So it is rather ludicrous for Cambodia to ask the UN to recognise the temple as a World Heritage site without Thailand's participation.

SONGDEJ PRADITSMANONT

Bangkok Post

1 comment:

rjhintz said...

It's not clear at all that natural access to the Preah Vihear site is from Thailand. As I understand the reasons for the siting, the intent is for the visitors to approach from below, as one would ascend to the heavens.

The topography is similar at the axial temples Wat Phu in Lao and Phnom Rung in Thailand, though the elevation change is not so dramatic and the access from below is better. Ta Muen Thom, also on the border to the west is similar.

What is your thought on why the natural access for the intended purpose as a religious site, at the time of design and construction, was from modern day Thailand?