Local Thai authorities warn about building Preah Vihear replica

SI SA KET, May 24 (TNA) – Thai provincial authorities have warned the Thai private sector to conduct a thorough study, including an impact assessment on the issue of Thai-Cambodian relations, before deciding to build a replica of the Preah Vihear temple in the northeastern Thai border province. Si Sa Ket governor Rapi Pongbuphakit said he supported any constructive idea to develop the area but the idea to build the replica of the Preah Vihear temple at Pha Mor E-daeng, an area close to the stairway leading to Preah Vihear temple, needed a special and thorough study. The issue was very important, especially in the aspect of environmental concerns and border security, he said. He added he couldn’t tell if he agreed with the idea or not at the moment. Although the planned construction site is in Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district, it is not far from the Preah Vihear temple. An international court awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, but a 4.6-square km (1.9-square mile) parcel of land surrounding it remains the subject of territorial claims by the two countries. The disputed area, adjacent to the ancient temple, has long been a source of tension between Thailand and Cambodia. Meanwhile, Vichit Trisaranakul, chairman of the provincial administrative organisation said detailed feasibility studies were needed. The real Preah Vihear and its history attracted tourists. He suggested beautifying the surrounding location was better than building the temple replica, close to the real temple. (TNA)