In early April there was a brief period of aggression after a Thai incursion onto Cambodian territory at the Preah Vihear complex. There were conflicting reports as to the number of causalities, but possibly four Thai soldiers were killed and ten were taken hostage. More recently, Phnom Penh is demanding a little over US$ 2 million in compensation for the conflict which has reportedly damaged several hundred homes and livelihoods. While the Thai Foreign Ministry is demanding that UNESCO go over the Preah Vihear site again in regards to what seems a procedural technicality.
The Thai government has now asked local authorities to do a feasibility study on making a replica complex close to the border for tourism purposes. The Cambodian secretary of state, Chuch Phoeun, stated that “It is impossible to replicate the temple without permission from the country that owns it” … “This is an intentional attempt by the Thais to stir up Cambodia because they are jealous of [us].”
Why would anyone want to visit a replica 11th century temple a couple of kilometers away from the real 11th century temple?
5 responses so far ↓
1 Khlong Cowboy // May 29, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Apart from its architectural splendour, historical and cultural significance etc. isn’t Preah Vihear justly famous because it is built upon a cliff top? The ‘replica’ will have none of these qualities, it sounds like the lamest idea ever conceived. Is it a wind up?
2 Dang // May 29, 2009 at 10:07 pm
This is absurd.Mr PM and Mr Kasit better recall what they said about
Pheah Vihear.Yes,they do know so well but it is the only way to discredit
Nopadol.Besides,people do not know much about the Pheah Vihear.I have been there many years ago and frankly speaking this historical work cannot be copied.The environment and wild life will be devastated.
This is the temple of lord Shiva.For the hindu,if you could the temple of the lord should be built on the mountain top because you could be near to the lord. But this Govt want to attract tourists.
3 Marco // May 31, 2009 at 6:20 am
Maybe the Thai govt can persuade the owners of Ancient City in Samut Prakan to add a copy of Prah Viharn to their theme park, if it’s not too provocative. Didn’t India get angry with Bangladesh over a replica of the Taj Mahal earlier this year?
4 Michael // May 31, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Marco #4: I went to Ancient City a few months ago. The Thai people I was with told me that one of the reproductions we looked at was Preah Vihear. I remember being rather skeptical – it seems scaled down – but maybe it was.
5 Serhat // Jun 1, 2009 at 1:01 am
@Marco & Michael: There definitely is a (scaled down) replica of Preah Vihear in Ancient City/Muang Boran. See number 72 on this map: http://www.ancientcity.com/en?q=/en/map-of-the-ancientcity/northeast
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