Dispute holds up UNESCO temple listing

Khmerization's Note: The presentation of the ABC Radio below is objective enough. But to be fair to the Cambodian side ABC Radio should have Khmer representative on the program to offer the Cambodian side of the story rather than having two Thai 'experts' on the program. There are two sides to the story and it is important that two sides are being heard. It is regrettable that ABC Radio hasn't done that.

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ABC Radio, Australia

With just one month to go before Cambodia submits an application for World Heritage listing for another of its magnificent temples, an ongoing border dispute with Thailand threatens to undermine the process.

Presenter: Bo Hill
Speakers:Srisakra Vallibhotama, anthropologist and archaeologist, Lek Prapai Foundation; Tharapong Srisuchat, director archaeology, Thailand Ministry of Culture

(MUSIC)

HILL: Built more than 800 years ago, the Preah Vihear temple has been a destination for pilgrims of many faiths. It sits on a mountain straddling Cambodia and Thailand, and although lesser known, it's by no means less spectacular then Cambodia's tourist-drawcard, Angkor Wat. Professor Srisakra Vallibhotama is a Thai archaeologist and anthropologist. He says while the Preah Vihear temple is a wonder in itself, the mountain and surrounds are also significant.

VALLIBHOTAMA: The temple was constructed by the King of Cambodia but when we review the history, that area is the sacred site where the spirit of the mountain resides and the people from both lowland and highland went up to pay homage.

HILL As well as its significance to pilgrims, the Preah Vihear temple is also part of an ongoing dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which Professor Srisakra says dates back to its status during French occupation:

VALLIBHOTAMA: That place is no mans land. It belongs to neither Cambodia or Thai. Because the border was created by the colonial period, the border created by the French.

HILL: The International Court of Justice recognised Cambodian claims over the temple in 1962, a decision Thailand accepted. In recent years, however, Cambodia's unilateral efforts to have the temple and surrounds World Heritage listed, have caused concern in Bangkok. Thailand says maps drawn by Cambodian officials show a border encroaching on Thai territory. Some revisions were made, and last year the dispute was supposedly settled at senior government level. But it resurfaced earlier this year, when the Thai Defence Ministry again accused Cambodia of misrepresenting the temple border -- putting World Heritage status efforts in limbo. Tharapong Srisuchat, the director of Thailand's Ministry of Culture's archaeology department, says Bangkok doesn't oppose Cambodia's efforts to have the temple World Heritage listed, as long as it's done fairly:

SRISUCHAT: By policy of Thai government we support that temple Preah Vihear be the World Heritage, Thai government support it. But we have to investigate about the how to management that area.

HILL: The management of the border, and how it's represented on a map, will be a key part of a submission to the United Nation's Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation's assessment next month. Local Thai media reported this week of further speculation in Bangkok about the accuracy of Cambodia's map. Professor Srisakra Vallibhotama says things would be easier if Cambodia and Thailand were working together.

VALLIBHOTAMA: We should join forces in order to make the temple be World Heritage. But if we settle in this matter we can talk about how we can compromise in terms of - we need to look at the temple, not only the temple but we must include the surroundings, because the temple itself is located in the centre of the community. And that area, the whole area, doesn't belong... become a no mans land that UNESCO can manage for the benefit of both sides.