Tourists visit disputed Thai Cambodian region

25 Jul 2011

The Thai army says that tensions have eased in a disputed region on the country’s border with Cambodia and it is safe to visit again. Lieutenant general Thawatchai Samutsakhon, Second Army boss, announced that tourists could now visit the area around the 12^th century Preah Vihear Temple on Thailand’s central eastern frontier.

The region was the scene of fierce fighting between the armies of the two countries earlier this year. The Kantharalak District village of Phum Srol was at the heart of the battles. Traders running shops and market stalls in the village have now been given authorisation to re-open and sell souvenirs and other goods.

The lieutenant general said that tensions along the border had eased following the July 3 Thai election that saw a change in the country’s government. The incoming Pheu Thai Party led coalition is expected to hold talks with Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen in an attempt to resolve an issue that has soured relationships between the two nations for the last half-century.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the temple to Cambodia, but both countries claim areas around it. Last Monday, the ICJ ruled that the two countries should withdraw their troops from the district and allow an impartial group of ASEAN observers to judge the merits of a Cambodian ownership claim.

Thailand and Cambodia have both put different conditions on troop withdrawals and allowing an ASEAN delegation from Indonesia access to the region, which should be resolved once the talks between the two governments commence.

Tags: Tourists disputed Thai region