Bridges go up along border

A Cambodian soldier speaks with Thai troops along the border close to Preah Vihear temple in 2008. Photo by: Heng Chivoan

via CAAI

Friday, 24 September 2010 15:02 Thet Sambath

THE Royal Cambodian Armed Forces are building 15 concrete bridges to connect roads between Preah Vihear temple and a nearby military base in an effort to facilitate the transport of ammunition and food to soldiers based near the border.

The bridges will connect roads between the Preah Vihear temple and Ta Thav, an area that military officials say will be used in the future as a border gate but is now used as a military compound. Ta Thav is located roughly 7 kilometres north of the temple.

Preah Vihear deputy provincial governor Sor Thavy said yesterday that the construction of the bridges was ordered by Prime Minister Hun Sen and was being completed by the military’s engineering unit.

Sem Yo, commander of RCAF border battalion 404, said the bridges will make travelling between the two areas easier. Previously, any food and weaponry had to be transported back and forth by foot.

“When the bridges are built, this road will become strong and it is very useful for soldiers to move and transport food and weapons for soldiers standing at the border,” he said, and added that the roads would be paved once the bridges were completed.

Kvan Siem, commander of RCAF’s engineering unit, said yesterday that the unit also plans to build a road along the Thai-Cambodian border, connecting Poipet Town to Koh Kong province.

“This is the government’s plan, ordered by Prime Minister Hun Sen, to build roads along the border,” he said.

He adding that the construction of the bridges and roads should be completed “some time next year”.