Cambodia holds ceremony at temple site

Bun Rany, wife of Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, lights a candle during a Buddhism prayer ceremony for peace called Krong Pealy at Preah Vihaer temple compound atop Dang Reak mountain 245km (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh August 01 , 2008. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

SI SA KET, Aug 1 (TNA) — Cambodia on Friday organized a national merit-making ceremony near the Preah Vihear temple, presided over by the country’s first lady, Bun Rany.

The ceremony, held at the 4th gopura (monumental tower) on the Cambodian side of the border, was apparently part of a celebration marking the victory of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in last Sunday’s general election.

The Cambodian first lady was expected to join the full-day event which will be highlighted by a pre-sunset ceremony at around 6 pm when sunlight will simultaneously beam through the tower entrances.

Meanwhile, the situation remains calm in Kantralak District of this northeastern province on the Thai border where Thai troops have been on alert as usual.

The 11th-century Preah Vihear temple was made a World Heritage site by UNESCO last month after which Thai and Cambodian authorities have held a few rounds of talks on the 4.6-sqkm disputed area on the border. Both sides have earlier deployed troops in the area and later agreed in principle to withdraw their troops. (TNA)