It’s been months since the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand ended, but the signs of combat are still very noticeable in this 11th-century temple that sits on a 525-metre-high cliff in the Dangrek Mountains. Both countries have been fighting over the Preah Vihear temple on and off for years, and that’s putting the site in danger. Read on to know more about the temple.
Preah Vihear Temple Damaged Due To Border Conflict
As per a report by the Tribune India, the temple was built by the same Khmer Empire that built Angkor Wat, 160 kilometres to the southwest. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and is held as a significant cultural relic by Cambodians. After two rounds of major fighting last year, much of the structure is damaged, and Cambodian officials say parts of it may collapse due to the repercussions. There is a lot of wreckage, but no tourists. Where people once admired the structure’s elaborate carvings and a stunning view over the Cambodian plains, there is now stone debris, the ashes of burnt vegetation, and artillery craters.
Also Read: IndiGo Launches Daily Direct Flights Between Kolkata And Shanghai; Check Full Schedule
Preah Vihear Temple Closed For Tourists
Due to the damage, the site is closed to tourism, as the unstable walls and the presence of unexploded ordnance are a major concern for tourists. As per the news portal, areas are dotted and roped off with signs warning of land mines, a danger that Cambodians know well after decades of civil war that ended in the late 1990s. Precautions are still being taken with groundkeepers, troops and conservation staff deployed in and around the temple, from where Thai soldiers can be seen just across the border.
Also Read: From March, IndiGo To Launch Direct Flights To 6 Cities From Navi Mumbai Airport; All About It
The temple has been contested for decades and has been at the centre of a long-standing boundary dispute since the 1950s. In 1962, the International Court of Justice announced that the area of less than five square kilometres belonged to Cambodia. However, the court reaffirmed this ruling in 2013.
What are your thoughts on the temple? Let us know in the comments below.