The Bangkok Post
Monday August 18, 2008
Thais on the border reject Phnom Penh's latest claims to temples in disputed territory, as Preah Vihear struggle spreads to new areas
Onnucha Hutasingh in Surin
For Thai children at the border with Cambodia, like Pailin Bandorn and her friends, the Ta Moan Thom temple belongs indisputably to Thailand.
The temple in Phanom Dong Rak district in this northeastern province has come to public attention as the rift between the two countries concerning neighbouring Preah Vihear temple in Kantharalak district spills over into other areas.
Following the listing of the 11th century Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site by the World Heritage Committee, the relationship between Thailand and Cambodia soured.
Since Preah Vihear was listed, Cambodia has stepped up claims of ownership over more ancient temples along the Thai-Cambodian border, including Ta Moan Thom temple.
The temple is about 100 metres away from the borderline.
The original Ta Moan Thom was built during the 12th century, while the current relics were part of the temple reconstruction on its original site during the 15th century.
Ta Moan Thom is the only ancient Hindu temple in Thailand with a linga in the main worshipping hall that was made of a natural linga-shaped stone.
The Fine Arts Department registered the temple as a national heritage item in 1935. It restored and maintained the temple until 2000, when Cambodia began claiming sovereignty over a disputed area which includes the temple. Since then, the temple has been left unattended.
Phnom Penh claimed Ta Moan Thom was on Cambodian soil and complained to Thailand after its troops were denied a visit on Aug 2 by Thai soldiers.
The complaint bewildered Thais living around the temple.
"If they thought it was theirs, they should show evidence to prove it.
"Thailand has evidence that we've long taken care of the temple and no single Cambodian has ever contributed to the effort," said 14-year-old Pailin, who is a young volunteer guide at Ta Moan Thom.
Pailin and her friends at Ban Nor Khanna School in tambon Ta Miang spend their weekends as volunteer guides, leading tourists through the ancient temple and telling them the temple's history.
"I was born here and grew up here. I've been roaming around the temple for 14 years. My parents and grandparents told me the temple is on Thai soil.
"I believe this temple belongs to Thailand," said Pailin.
Phnom Penh has also claimed the Sadokkokthom temple in tambon Khok Sung in Sa Kaeo's Ta Phraya district.
Sadokkokthom was built during the 15th century. The Fine Arts Department registered it as a heritage item in 1935.
The department is in the middle of renovating the temple. The renovation work is expected to be completed in the next two to three years.
Wichian Bun-udom, chairman of the tambon Khok Sung culture council, said Khok Sung residents hold a religious ceremony at the temple every year, and he has never seen any Cambodian visiting the temple.
The dispute between the countries would be settled if Thailand and Cambodia complete demarcation of their land border. That duty rests with the Joint Boundary Commission which will resume talks today in Cha-am district in Phetchaburi. The area which the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers want clarity over the most is the overlapping zone near Preah Vihear.
Monday August 18, 2008
Thais on the border reject Phnom Penh's latest claims to temples in disputed territory, as Preah Vihear struggle spreads to new areas
Onnucha Hutasingh in Surin
For Thai children at the border with Cambodia, like Pailin Bandorn and her friends, the Ta Moan Thom temple belongs indisputably to Thailand.
The temple in Phanom Dong Rak district in this northeastern province has come to public attention as the rift between the two countries concerning neighbouring Preah Vihear temple in Kantharalak district spills over into other areas.
Following the listing of the 11th century Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site by the World Heritage Committee, the relationship between Thailand and Cambodia soured.
Since Preah Vihear was listed, Cambodia has stepped up claims of ownership over more ancient temples along the Thai-Cambodian border, including Ta Moan Thom temple.
The temple is about 100 metres away from the borderline.
The original Ta Moan Thom was built during the 12th century, while the current relics were part of the temple reconstruction on its original site during the 15th century.
Ta Moan Thom is the only ancient Hindu temple in Thailand with a linga in the main worshipping hall that was made of a natural linga-shaped stone.
The Fine Arts Department registered the temple as a national heritage item in 1935. It restored and maintained the temple until 2000, when Cambodia began claiming sovereignty over a disputed area which includes the temple. Since then, the temple has been left unattended.
Phnom Penh claimed Ta Moan Thom was on Cambodian soil and complained to Thailand after its troops were denied a visit on Aug 2 by Thai soldiers.
The complaint bewildered Thais living around the temple.
"If they thought it was theirs, they should show evidence to prove it.
"Thailand has evidence that we've long taken care of the temple and no single Cambodian has ever contributed to the effort," said 14-year-old Pailin, who is a young volunteer guide at Ta Moan Thom.
Pailin and her friends at Ban Nor Khanna School in tambon Ta Miang spend their weekends as volunteer guides, leading tourists through the ancient temple and telling them the temple's history.
"I was born here and grew up here. I've been roaming around the temple for 14 years. My parents and grandparents told me the temple is on Thai soil.
"I believe this temple belongs to Thailand," said Pailin.
Phnom Penh has also claimed the Sadokkokthom temple in tambon Khok Sung in Sa Kaeo's Ta Phraya district.
Sadokkokthom was built during the 15th century. The Fine Arts Department registered it as a heritage item in 1935.
The department is in the middle of renovating the temple. The renovation work is expected to be completed in the next two to three years.
Wichian Bun-udom, chairman of the tambon Khok Sung culture council, said Khok Sung residents hold a religious ceremony at the temple every year, and he has never seen any Cambodian visiting the temple.
The dispute between the countries would be settled if Thailand and Cambodia complete demarcation of their land border. That duty rests with the Joint Boundary Commission which will resume talks today in Cha-am district in Phetchaburi. The area which the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers want clarity over the most is the overlapping zone near Preah Vihear.
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