Troops pull back from temple

Thai and Cambodian soldiers have pulled out from a temple in disputed territory in a bid to ease border tensions.

ACambodiansoldier looks atadilapidated section of the Preah Vihear temple. WASSANANANUAM

Ten soldiers from each country positioned at Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple withdrew from the area on Dec1.

The Thai troops moved back to a lowland location, which is part of the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area, while the Cambodian soldiers are now stationed at the entrance of the ancient temple.

Only 40 Cambodian monks remain at Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara following the troop pullout.

Soldiers have agreed to jointly inspect the temple and the disputed area between 10am and 5pm every day, but they will not stay overnight at the temple.

Cambodia had planned to reopen the ancient Hindu temple to tourists but Thailand set the precondition that vending stalls must not be built near its entrance.

The gate allowing access to the 11th-century site for visitors from Thailand has been closed by Cambodia since July 2008 after a group of Thai protesters rallied near the ruins.

Cambodia has since cut the number of troops at the temple and they no longer carry weapons. Heavy machine guns and artillery were also withdrawn from the temple to create a tourist-friendly atmosphere.

The Unesco World Heritage Committee's blue flag and the Cambodian national flag have been put on the top of the ancient temple and signs announcing the Unesco heritage listing of the temple have been erected at the entrance.

Parts of the ancient temple have begun to crumble. WASSANA NANUAM

Cambodian soldiers and police guarding the site said Cambodian authorities had planned to allow Thai tourists to enter the temple via Mo E-daeng cliff in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district as a New Year gift. However, Thailand has refused to open the entrance from its side.

Second Army Region commander Thawatchai Samutsakhon confirmed that Thailand had set the condition that no shophouses be built near the entrance in return for it agreeing to reopen the temple.

He said it would take time for the reopening and more talks between the two countries would be required.

Thai authorities are adopting a wait-and-see attitude towards potential activities by the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has campaigned against border talks between the two countries.

The PAD has accused the government of putting the country's sovereignty at stake over the areas adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple in its border negotiations with Cambodia.

It has demanded that the government scrap a memorandum of understanding on boundary demarcation signed with Cambodia in 2000.

Lt Gen Thawatchai said that the military had neither withdrawn troops from the disputed area nor cut their numbers. He said it had only rearranged its troops to avoid confrontations with Cambodian soldiers.

He said the reopening of the ancient temple rested with the governments from the two countries.

Cambodian soldiers and a Chinese construction firm have been seen building a road to Preah Vihear.

Thailand has protested against the construction of the 3,600-metre road, but the protest has been ignored by Cambodia.

Aroad is being built to the temple from the Cambodian side of the border. JETJARASNARANONG

Woodenstairs provide easy access for tourists visiting the ancient ruins from theCambodianside. JETJARASNARANONG