Temple on disputed Cambodian border a heritage site

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

MONTREAL (AP) — An 11th century temple that sits on Cambodia's disputed border zone with Thailand was designated as a world heritage site, a UNESCO official said Monday.

(snip)

The site of the building has long been a point of contention between the two Asian neighbors.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice in the Hague ruled Preah Vihear, with its crumbling stone facade, was located a few hundred feet inside Cambodia's border.

The decision was opposed by many in Thailand. Cambodia has been trying to obtain the designation for the Khmer-style temple since 2001, but Thailand has vetoed its neighbor's previous submissions amid fears the status would include disputed land along the border.

on edit: forgot the "snip"

Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g1-FbpkQlHdxBmblb1e8tjoOmNyAD91PH2200

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Thailand can go soak their heads on this one. They've been looting Angkor for decades and making a tidy profit from the antiquities black market. The government makes only half-hearted attempts to stop the looting.

It UNESCO has thrown Cambodia a bone on this one (and from what it sounds like, the descision was entirely justified) it just helps to even the score a little bit.