Cambodia-UNESCO Examine Preah Vihear Temple

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has examined the status of the Preah Vihear temple in a tour of the area that took place on November 7. They inspected damage caused by grenades during clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops, said Phay Siphan, Secretary of State at the Council of Ministers.

The Secretary of State said the move followed claims made by the Cambodian National Committee, in partnership with UNESCO officials that the statuary and staircase of the 11th century monument had been damaged by Thai grenades during clashes.

Siphan said that UNESCO will attempt to get a clear idea of the facts and to take action to prevent further damage in future. He said the damage had been caused by Thai rockets launched during the clashes on October 15.

“We will not press for financial recompense from the Thais because Preah Vihear temple is now World Heritage Property. But we want Thailand, who is also a member of UNESCO to cooperate with all parties to protect the priceless temple,” he said.

In order to create a protected zone around the World Heritage site, three signs that announce the site’s World Heritage status, under the protection of UNESCO and the international community have been posted. The precedent for these measures was set by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1953, said Siphan. He added that the new signs will demarcate the newly created protection zone to deter any future conflict in the area.

"We hope that after the World Heritage signs are posted at the Preah Vihear Temple, there will be no further shooting on the temple or in the protection zone,"

Hang Soth, Director General of Preah Vihear Authority, said he sent a report about the shooting to UNESCO on October 17. The report also included a request for protection of the temple. He noted that the temples dignity has been outraged with the addition of over 100 pockmarks where bullets and rocket rounds impacted the venerable site.

Teruo Jinnai, Representative of UNSECO in Cambodia, told the Cambodia Weekly that to preserve and protect Preah Vihear temple against damage in future, the Cambodian government should prepare a master plan detailing the temple project and send this document to UNESCO’s office in Cambodia. This will then be sent on for further consideration at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, where it will be reviewed prior to approval and financial support.


He said that UNESCO has funded many projects for the Cambodian government, such as repairing Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Prasat Banteay Srey and Traprumh temples in Siem Reap province.

According to Cambodian historical documents, Preah Vihear Temple is situated at the Cambodian-Thai border, atop the 625 meter-high Preah Vihear Mountain in Svay Chhrum village, Kantuot commune, Choam Ksan district. This is 108 kilometers north of Tbaeng Meanchey, the capital of Preah Vihear province. The temple is 800 meters long and 400 meters wide.

The temple is one of the most striking to have been built during the 600-year-long Khmer empire. It was mainly built over a 100-150 year period during the reigns of kings Suryavarman (1002-1050) and Suryavarman II (1113-1150). Its main architectural features are Khmer in origin but signs of earlier influences, particularly the Bantery Srei style are noticeable in the earlier buildings.

The Preah Vihear temple includes some superb carved friezes; one is of particular interest as it shows King Suryavarman II going about his devotions and presenting gifts of white parasols, gold bowls and elephants to his spiritual leader. This carved frieze is just one example of the outstanding carvings to be found at the temple.

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