khmer sources

If you scale the 2,800 stairs of Prasat Preah Vihear in the province of the same name, a beautiful view will unfold before you. At almost 650m above sea-level, Preah Vihear temple has been the sight of many battles over the centuries; it’s altitude a perfect military advantage.

Located on the Dangkrek Mountains in the northernmost corner of the country and now accessible from Cambodia and Thailand, Preah Vihear temple re-opened to Khmer visitors as recently as 2003. For many years, Thailand claimed the temple as theirs, but a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling found in favor of Khmer ownership. The Court also held that Thailand was under obligation to withdraw all military and police force stationed there and to restore objects removed from the ruins.

But now (Jun-2008) has some speachs as a thief's speach or rebel's speach say that the Preah Vihear temple is not the Khmer owner, and all the thiefs that was speak so are all seat in Assembly chair. Do you believe or not? if you don't believe me please back to see the document was happend in 1962 at the International Court of Justice to see the ruling found by International Court of Justice .

Access to the temple has been much improved in recent years, due to extensive de-mining, jungle clearance and in 2003, the construction of a road from the town of Tbeng Meanchey direct to the Dangrek Mountains.

Deputy Director of the Preah Vihear Provincial Tourism Department Kit Chanthy says according to departmental annual reports, the number of tourists visiting the temple is increasing every year. In 2004, an estimated 66,000 visitors flocked to the temple site, with numbers increasing to almost 90,000 the following year.

"In the first four months of this year, Preah Vihear received 30,536 visitors, of predominately Cambodian and Thai nationality. During the three days of Khmer New Year alone, the temple saw 12,639 visitors," Kit says.

"With greatly improved road conditions to the site on the Cambodian side, many more visitors are able to see this great attraction," he says. "And the other reason for the recent influx? Well, the location of the temple really is amazing, with fantastic views of both Thailand and Cambodian landscapes from the cliff top on the Chuor Phnom Dangkrek (Dangkrek Mountains)."

The temple has four levels with four courtyards each containing five gopuras (entrance pavilions). Preah Vihear has been a place of pilgrimage and worship for kings and commoners alike for centuries as it serves the same purpose as a stylised representation of Mount Meru, home of the gods.

President of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents (CATA) Ho Vandy is optimistic about the future of what he calls the "golden line" linking Preah Vihear temple with Siem Reap’s Angkor complex.

"I envisage Preah Vihear temple to be registered on the World Heritage List, which will mean greater numbers of visitors traveling from Angkor Wat to this temple on their tours," Ho says.
"I’m sure that Preah Vihear temple will be yet another spectacular temple destination in Cambodia, lessening the burden on the Angkor complex," he says.

"Tourists can explore the ‘ancient triangle’: from Siem Reap’s Angkor complex to Preah Vihear province’s Koh Ker (Jayavarman IV’s capital between 928 and 942) and the Preah Vihear temple, then on to Kompong Thom province and the Sambor Prey Kuk temple, ples buried in the forest there."

UNESCO Khmer culture expert Dr. Michael Tranet says the construction of Preah Vihear temple took many years to complete.

"Building began during the reign of King Yasovarman I between 889 and 910; followed by King Suryavarman I who ruled between 1002 and 1050. King

Jayavarman VI continued the construction, and the temple was finally completed by King Suryavarman II between 1113 and 1150."

"The original name of this temple was Se Khari Svarak which means "Power of the Mountain," Tranet says. The temple was dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.

You see how beautiful for the Preah Vihear temple