Preah Vihear preparing to lure back tourists

Cambodge Soir

27-08-2008

Access to the temple remains forbidden but both country’s authorities already discussed the site’s future exploitation.

Does it all come down to money? In Preah Vihear, strangely enough, the important land issue is slowly being replaced by business negotiations.

“Thailand and Cambodia have agreed on the promotion of tourism to the ancient temple of Preah Vihear, once the withdrawal of the two countries’ soldiers is effective", declared Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Monday August 25.

This may present a way to end the row which would also enable Thailand to limit the financial damages as most tourist infrastructures are located on its territory.

Khieu Kanharith, the Cambodian government spokesperson, when questioned by Cambodge Soir Hebdo went further into detail: “This is only a statement of intention; many details remain to be solved. This shows the good will of both governments in order to diffuse the tension and to work jointly”. But “a joint management of the site” is not on the agenda.

For the moment, as most tourists visit the site from Thailand, one of the issues is where will the generated income from tourism go? “This will be to the benefit of both countries; Cambodia will collect the ticketing revenues, and Thailand will profit from different sources of income”, said Samak. The Cambodian authorities have started to build road access to the temple. A cable-car project is also being considered to access the cliff-top site.

But for Khieu Kanharith, it is all clear: “This is not a question of sharing any interests with Thailand or we would not have gone to such great lengths to inscribe the temple on the UNESCO World Heritage List while Thailand was hindering our efforts”, pointed out the Minister.

Meanwhile the border issue still remains to be solved.