Open Preah Vihear, business pleads

Writer: BangkokPost.com
Published: 22/07/2009

The government should consider quickly reopening Phra Viharn national park, the entrance to Preah Vihear temple, to help the ailing economy of the border province of Si Sa Ket, the provincial chamber of commerce chairman, Sriwan Kiatsuranont, said on Wednesday.

Trade and tourism in the northeastern city had suffered severely since the park was closed because of the tensions over the old Preah Vihear temple and surrounding areas, he said.

“The national park is the only tourism selling point of Si Sa Ket and the southern part of the northeast region. The park’s closure has driven tourists away,” he said.

By contrast, Cambodia had continued to open Preah Vihear temple to foreign tourists and local travellers.

The government should reopen the national park as soon as possible.

The park, including Pha Mor E-Daeng cliff, the only entrance to the ancient temple in Cambodia, was ordered closed indefinitely after Thai and Cambodian troops faced off in the disputed area surrounding the world heritage site.