Mini-Preah Vihear kept under wraps
Project put on hold for fear it may anger cambodia; site also questioned
THE miniature Preah Vihear temple replica in the border province of Si Sa Ket is being kept under wraps due to concerns that it may affect bilateral ties with Cambodia.
The ancient Preah Vihear temple has been a long-standing subject of dispute between the two countries, and though the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has already ruled that the historical structure belongs to Cambodia, the area surrounding the ancient temple complex remains a disputed zone.
Lt-General Wichai Chaejorhor, chief of Thailand’s Second Army Area, said yesterday that the temple project had been suspended in a move to ensure that bilateral ties do not suffer.
“We are assessing Cambodia’s stance and the extent of its reactions,” he said earlier this week.
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said so far there have been no protests from the neighbouring country.
“At this point, the relations between the two countries are excellent,” he said, denying that his ministry was the first to raise concerns about the mini-Preah Vihear project.
Saksit Ponsapsiri, chief of the Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Si Sa Ket, said the project was part of his park’s development master plan that was implemented between 2005 and 2015.
He added that Si Sa Ket Governor Yutthana Wiriyakitti had also included the construction of the Preah Vihear replica in his provincial development plan, which is to be implemented between this year and 2019.
“I personally think the construction will be good for tourism,” Saksit said, adding that once people learned of the project, many showed up at the park to ask about it.
“Last year, our park earned more than Bt1.3 million in admission fees,” he said.
Saksit went on to say that this would not be the first Preah Vihear replica in Thailand, as one already exists in the compound of a ranger force.
“Just like there are many Great Wall replicas in different countries,” he said.
He added that opening the replica of Preah Vihear temple complex to tourists would be more beneficial than bringing it down.
Out of concern that Cambodia might be upset by the project, officials tried to shield the replica from view yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said he understood the intention of promoting tourism, but relevant authorities would also have to determine if the site of the replica is in a disputed area.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha also said Thailand would need to tread carefully because the two nations had yet to discuss the option of complying with the ICJ ruling.
Wichai insisted that although the mini-temple – built at a 1:11 scale of the actual temple – had been constructed in Pha Mo E Dang, which is right next to the border, local military units had not reported the project to their supervisors in the Royal Thai Army.
Colonel Tanasak Mitrapanont, commander of the 6th Infantry Regiment, whose jurisdiction covers Si Sa Ket, was transferred out of his post on May 4. However, Wichai refused to link the colonel’s transfer to the failure to report the mini-Preah Vihear project.
“I don’t think they are related. Reshuffles within the Army are usually made to ensure people are in appropriate jobs,” Wichai said.
Tanasak, meanwhile, said yesterday that as a soldier he was ready to follow his superior’s orders.
A source close to him, however, suggested that other soldiers may have a personal dislike for Tanasak and had given biased information to the supervisor.
“Also, somebody may have plotted against him because he offended many when he led the operations to crack down on influential figures who encroached on public land in Ubon Ratchathani province,” the source said.
