Heritage listing creates temple of doom

[Coventina]

Source: The Canberra Times

Rocket launcher on his shoulder, former Khmer Rouge fighter Hem Veb sits under the Cambodian flag at the ancient Preah Vihear temple, overlooking Thai soldiers crossing the border.

The 11th-century Hindu temple is perched serenely on a mountain top, just across from Thailand, with sweeping views over the Cambodian jungle as well as the thousands of Thai and Cambodian troops facing off in a territorial dispute.

Despite the political tensions, the mood here is casual, with many from both sides sharing meals with each other and snapping photos.

(snip)

The ruins of the Hindu temple are the most important example of ancient Khmer architecture outside Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat, and have weathered centuries of wars and duelling territorial claims with Thailand. Thai soldiers in the 1950s occupied its series of complexes with elegant carvings linked by stone stairways and causeways, but left after a World Court ruling in 1962 declared the temple belonged to Cambodia.

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/heritage-listing-creates-temple-of-doom/1226318.aspx

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Still hoping these countries can get this worked out...

[DCKit]

1. Sounds as if it's just a pissing contest between the gubmints.

I'd say "send Condi", but we don't want this to erupt into an all-out regional conflict.

Are things going so well in Thailand and Cambodia that they have nothing better to do? Or is this a distraction for the peasants?

[trthnd4jstc]

2. Not Being A Capitalist, but a Fair Trader, this is the problem with Property Ownership

Mine, Mine, I own it. It's mine. The temple is clearly part of the Khmer culture. Not Thailand's.