Letter to The Nation
Published on July 3, 2011
There is a solution to the Thai-Cambodian conflict over the Phra Viharn/Preah Vihear temple that is so simple I am surprised nobody but me has thought of it.
As I understand it, this is a Hindu temple. To me it is very weird for Buddhists to be fighting over a Hindu temple. Especially since Buddhists aren't supposed to fight at all.
If it's a Hindu temple, the Hindus should be running it. The Thais and Cambodians should ask the Indian government to send over some qualified Hindu priests to take charge of it. The temple and the disputed territory that surrounds it could be turned into an independent country - a theocratic mini-state, like Vatican City. They could call it Viharnia (in Thai), or Vihearnia (in Cambodian). The priests would administer it, and charge admission to the tourists.
To compensate the Thai and Cambodian governments for their loss of sovereignty, Viharnia would give them a percentage of its tourism income. Part of the revenue derived from tourists who drive in from the Thai side would go to Thailand. Part of the revenue derived from those adventurous tourists who climb up the cliff from the Cambodian side would go to Cambodia.
I understand that Phra Viharn is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. While I personally am a Presbyterian, I am under the impression that both the Hindus and the Buddhists revere Shiva. If I believed in Shiva and gave the matter a little thought, I should think that Shiva would be very angry that his temple has fallen into such disrepair and that the Thais and Cambodians are quarrelling over it. He might strike them down with his thunderbolt or something.
So the priests of Viharnia should rebuild the temple, restore it to its former glory, re-consecrate it from the years of quarrelling, and regularly perform whatever ceremonies and rituals Shiva requires. He would then be pleased and would bless both countries. That is what I would think if I believed in Shiva.
I call this solution the Beasley Plan, and I recommend it to both countries. But I am sure they will both reject it. This is because, deep down, they don't really believe in religion of any kind. All they want is money, and the only thing they believe in is an infantile nationalism. If they want to prove me wrong, let them adopt my plan.
Constance Beasley
Bangkok
There is a solution to the Thai-Cambodian conflict over the Phra Viharn/Preah Vihear temple that is so simple I am surprised nobody but me has thought of it.
As I understand it, this is a Hindu temple. To me it is very weird for Buddhists to be fighting over a Hindu temple. Especially since Buddhists aren't supposed to fight at all.
If it's a Hindu temple, the Hindus should be running it. The Thais and Cambodians should ask the Indian government to send over some qualified Hindu priests to take charge of it. The temple and the disputed territory that surrounds it could be turned into an independent country - a theocratic mini-state, like Vatican City. They could call it Viharnia (in Thai), or Vihearnia (in Cambodian). The priests would administer it, and charge admission to the tourists.
To compensate the Thai and Cambodian governments for their loss of sovereignty, Viharnia would give them a percentage of its tourism income. Part of the revenue derived from tourists who drive in from the Thai side would go to Thailand. Part of the revenue derived from those adventurous tourists who climb up the cliff from the Cambodian side would go to Cambodia.
I understand that Phra Viharn is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. While I personally am a Presbyterian, I am under the impression that both the Hindus and the Buddhists revere Shiva. If I believed in Shiva and gave the matter a little thought, I should think that Shiva would be very angry that his temple has fallen into such disrepair and that the Thais and Cambodians are quarrelling over it. He might strike them down with his thunderbolt or something.
So the priests of Viharnia should rebuild the temple, restore it to its former glory, re-consecrate it from the years of quarrelling, and regularly perform whatever ceremonies and rituals Shiva requires. He would then be pleased and would bless both countries. That is what I would think if I believed in Shiva.
I call this solution the Beasley Plan, and I recommend it to both countries. But I am sure they will both reject it. This is because, deep down, they don't really believe in religion of any kind. All they want is money, and the only thing they believe in is an infantile nationalism. If they want to prove me wrong, let them adopt my plan.
Constance Beasley
Bangkok
10 comments:
The fact that no one but you had thought of it already shows the brilliance of your idea. Where is this guy resided? I would like to ask him this. How would he feel if I were to go into his house and call up Swedish people to take possession of his furnitures that were made by IKEA and to call on German people to come and take his BMW or the Japanese to take his Toyota.
Everyone is out there to for their own interest. Like this joker isn't. What religion is he? Has he donated all his money and possession and lives a possession-less life yet to be so righteous and call other people out on their religion and belief.
This schmuck thinks he is so much better than other just from his prick of a letter. Constance Beasley, you are a deuchebag as of right now, until proven otherwise.
This author need to study more about Khmer history. Preah vihear is not a Hindu temple that was built by the Hindu people. Preah vihear temple was built by the Khmer people and the temple was dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Do not misunderstand the temple was built by the Hindu people.
This individual Siem had twisted mind.
I agree with the anonymous. Mr. What? Sorry can't remember your name. But if the thief comes into your house and steals your home made bicycle that you made to dedicate to your grand father. Would you think that your grandfather should come and sell the bicycle and share with you and the thief? Better keep your ugly mouth shut and apply your so-called "plan" to your bicycle.
Or, if your close friend wants to fuck your wife would you ask your father in law to sell your wife to the brothel and share the income?
The author talked like he/she three year old...
this so stupid who has brought this articles out is sucked,, idiot guy. F.U
It's coming from Bangingcocks, Thailand, so we should expect some of the most ridiculous ideas. If you haven't study the facts, there is no such thing as Kao Pra Viharn. If your wife name Virgina, you don't call her Vigina, OK? PREAH VIHEAR IS CAMBODIA'S PROPERTY. Please permanantly engrave this knowledge into your brain. There are hundreds of temples inside Thailand that belong to Khmer/Cambodia that Cambodia never asked to return. Cambodia only interest in what is inside Cambodia. PREAH VIHEAR IS INSIDE CAMBODIA, THEREFORE; IT'S CAMBODIA'S PROPERTY. Does this somehow make any sense to you, Constance Beasley? It is Thailand who do not wish to see it that way. Thailand government and its supporting monkeys are bullshitting to themselves that Preah Vihear is Thailand's property to boost nationalism. Cambodia's nationalism is base on Thailand actions.
Preah Vihear argument is the same old bullshit almost half a century ago. And you can bet your left nut, that this will be an argument again sometime in the future. Cambodia won this argument in ICJ in 1962. So what part of that is Thailand so stupid about? The fact is, Thailand just can't get over this lost. So Costance Beasley, I would have to say that you can take your plan and shove it up your ass. You are a foreigner living and slaving yourself in Bangingcocks, Thailand, so your plan only serve the interst of Thailand, not Cambodia. So don't let a few nights of some hot and heavy action with Thai girls clouded your views on the true facts behind Preah Vihear. OK?
This is the concept of wife sharing. Why dont you call your wife yours and when she comes to my house I call her bitch. This is the true purpose of Thailand agenda as stated by this author. I have eluted in the past comments that the 4.6 km so called dispute area is not the main objective of Thailand. Thailand main goal to share the Phreah Vihea Temple, however Cambodia won the court battle and listed it as World Heritage. Thailand is fighting uphill battle that is why it uses military force to threaten Cambodia. Why do you think France is now visiting Cambodia? This is no coincidence.
Dear All, I think the author, Beasley, wrote this article as a joke. Everybody, including himself, knows that this idea is childish and it is not going to work. The Vatican City is a total different issue from Preah Vihear. It is a religious principality. It was Italian territory and still is but was given as a religious principality or sovereign state to the Roman Catholicism, which was the religion of the Roman Empire, the ancient Italy. Preah Vihear is different. It was built by the Khmer king, located inside Cambodian territory and the Thais agreed about that in 1907 when their king signed the treaty with France. If Cambodia is to share Preah Vihear temple with Thailand, then Thailand could well share Phimai temple, another Khmer temple annexed by Thailand, with Cambodia. Cambodia will never share its territory with Thailand, the same as Thailand will never agree to share its territory with Cambodia.I hope all Thais could agree with me on this point.
Post a Comment