Tourists return to Preah Vihear

A prominent viewpoint hill in Preah Vihear National Park has been declared safe for tourists according to Second Army Chief Thawatchai Samutsakorn.

Reporting on the situation along the Thai-Cambodian, Monday, he said the vantage point to view the ancient World Heritage Preah Vihear temple is now safe and open to visitors daily.

“Border tensions eased after the 3 July general election because Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is expecting to resume positive talks with the incoming government led by the Pheu Thai Party,” Mr Thawatchai said.

Until further notice, the national park is open to visitors daily from 0800 to 1600 without any admission fee.

The gate on the national park road that leads to More E-Daeng hill opened without fanfare, 23 July. It had remained closed since early February when Thai and Cambodians troops fought over access to land surrounding the Preah Vihear temple site.

The International Court of Justice ruled 18 July that Thailand and Cambodia should withdraw their soldiers from the disputed area and allow observers from ASEAN to have access to the area pending a court decision on ownership rights to land adjacent to the temple.

The ICJ set up a “provisional demilitarised zone” covering an area of 17.3 sq km of which 8.5 sq km is on Thai soil and 8.8 sq km in Cambodia.

More E-Daeng hill is located in the Preah Vihear National Park which covers an area of around 130 sq km in two provinces; Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and Nam Khun and Nam Yuen district in Ubon Ratchathani.

The hill is at an elevation of 500 metres and marks the border between Thailand and Cambodia making it a popular viewpoint overlooking the Cambodian plains and the Preah Vihear temple that stands close by.

Highway 221 runs south from Kantharalak district, at the intersection with highway 24, for approximately 35 km to the national checkpoint. The hill is about 9 km from the park gate and about 1 km north of Preah Vihear temple.

Source - khmer hotnews post