#Preah Vihear National Authority

[southeastasianarchaeology]

Cambodia's Historic Sites Attract Over 30,000 Visitors Early This Year

Over 33,000 tourists visited Preah Vihear and Koh Ker in Cambodia in early 2024, marking significant tourism growth and highlighting the need for new promotion strategies.

via Phnom Penh Post, 06 March 2024: In the first two months of 2024, over 33,000 tourists visited the Preah Vihear and Koh Ker temples in Cambodia, marking a significant increase in visitor numbers. While Cambodian visitor numbers slightly decreased, foreign tourist numbers saw a substantial rise, with Preah Vihear temple hosting over 14,000 visitors and Koh Ker attracting nearly 19,400. The…

[goldpeninsula]

A group of technical officials from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and local authorities have inspected 126 ancient hills found recently in Kratie province to protect and preserve them.

The director of the ministry’s Department of Archaeology and Prehistory Voeun Vuthy said on Sunday that the inspections and border verifications of the 126 sites began on February 1.

He said officials recorded the size and boundaries for each location for preservation work.

“We are working with the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction to collect and insert data about the ancient hills to produce land titles. This makes it easy to manage and preserve the sites,” Vuthy said.

After the Ministry of Land Management, Urban planning and Construction issues the titles, Vuthy said it will transfer the management and preservation of the ancient hills and stations to the Kratie provincial authorities and relevant institutions.

The director-general of the Cultural Technique Department at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Hab Touch, said similar work is taking place in other provinces nationwide.

“The ancient sites are in almost every place in Cambodia and we already completed the work in some provinces where there are temples and important and well-known ancient stations,” Touch said.

He said when the land titles for those sites are issued by the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, people who are living in the areas will be prohibited from constructing buildings, burying bodies, or clearing or exploring the areas.

Even though the authorities warn of legal action, some ancient temples and sites are explored by people to look for artefacts illegally, he noted.

On Friday last week, the Preah Vihear Provincial Court charged five men, including a commune police chief, with looting ancient artefacts at Prasat Khna Pagoda in Choam Ksan district.

[hayleycammack8-blog]

Seven Tips With Thailand Travel

So far, all of our Uber rides have been 5 stars and the app is user-friendly. It beats walking down the street while waiting for a taxi or songthaew to drive by, especially if we're in a rush or headed to the airport. Uber is easy to book through its app and it's relief to have a car waiting right at our front door a few minutes later. There's no intimidating haggling involved, no waiting for other passengers to get on or off, and users can count on the driver using a meter. It's affordable like a songthaew (red truck taxi) but is cool and comfortable like a taxi. Uber has been a success in Bangkok and Phuket for some time now but found its way to Chiang Mai in November 2016. Times have changed somewhat, and it is now fairly common to see couples holding hands in public in the most modern urban areas." That said, kissing and cuddling in public (including in dark restaurants, on park benches, and on public transportation, places where Americans might not think much of assuming a nuzzly head-on-shoulder pose) is unwise in Thai culture. Some years ago, there was no touching between the sexes in public," Suwannathamma says. New Zealanders travelling or living in Thailand should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air. The situation has stabilised however we recommend exercising particular care in areas close to the border with Cambodia and at border crossings. Thai and Cambodian troops are deployed in this area and have on occasion engaged in armed conflict. In the north of the country, a Thai-Cambodia border dispute centred around the Preah Vihear temple (known as Khao Pra Viharn temple in Thailand) has led to hostilities and tensions in the past. There have been a number of explosive device incidents in Bangkok and other cities, including Phuket and Koh Samui in recent years. There is an ongoing threat of terrorism in Thailand Travel. Individuals may be detained for violation of these and other measures. Under the measures, authorities may restrict movement, public assembly or political gatherings and have prohibited the distribution of any information considered detrimental to Thailand's national security or public order. You should check local media and with your travel provider for further information. The Tourism Authority of Thailand website provides information for travellers including recommendations on the appropriate dress and behaviour during the mourning period. It is important that New Zealanders in Thailand fully respect and comply with the etiquette and protocols surrounding this period of royal mourning. Following the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej an official mourning period of one year was announced from 14 October 2016. Boat trips between islands cost around 500THB (£10). A 12-15 hour bus journey from Bangkok to Phuket costs 1000THB (just over £20). A 10 hour bus journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on a pretty comfy sleeper coach costs around 500-600THB (or anywhere between £10-15).

[wavenetinfo]

Updated June 04, 2017 07:34:21

Photo: Typically Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has stayed away from pre-poll campaigning. (AP: Heng Sinith)

It was a shocking sight for many Cambodians — their strongman Prime Minister standing on the back of a campaign truck, waving and sweating in the monsoon humidity.

Typically, Hun Sen has stayed away from pre-poll campaigning, comfortable in the knowledge that his Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) will dominate.

He has, after all, ruled for 32 years.

“It was strange, he never appeared in past campaigns,” said Srey Pich, a 26-year old bank worker.

“I guess he wants to test his popularity and try to attract votes,” she said, relaxing in a park in front of Hun Sen’s gaudily-lit Phnom Penh mansion.

Even though today’s election will choose commune-level representatives who mostly deal with births, deaths and marriages, it’s being fought out as if the stakes are much higher.

“Hun Sen and senior members of his party have expressed publicly [and] repeatedly that they see this as a battle for the future of their country and indeed for the survival of the country,” said Sebastian Strangio, author of Hun Sen’s Cambodia.

There have been wild words on both sides.

The Opposition has promised to give US$500,000 ($67,000) to each of the 1,646 communes, while Hun Sen has threatened a return to civil war if he loses.

Photo: Cambodia’s Prime minister Hun Sen (centre) has been in power for 32 years. (Supplied: The Phnom Penh Post (file photo))

It’s a threat he’s made before, but this time Hun Sen has gone further, specifying how many Cambodian lives are expendable in the pursuit of power.

“To ensure peace and to continue the development, the only option is that the CPP must win elections at all stages,” said Hun Sen this week, according to the Cambodia Daily newspaper.

“To ensure the lives of millions of people, we are willing to eliminate 100 or 200 people because we have seen bitter past experience,” said the Prime Minister, who defected from the Khmer Rouge and was placed into power by the Vietnamese.

It’s no empty threat.

In 1997, forces loyal to Hun Sen killed dozens of political opponents in street battles that turned Phnom Penh into a war zone for two days.

A year later, the CPP won the general election by a comfortable margin.

High hopes after shock opposition gains

This is the first major vote in Cambodia since the shock result of 2013, when the Opposition surged to within 13 seats of victory.

The commune election will test the political mood before national elections next year and potentially offer a morale boost.

While there are 12 parties registered, there are only two real players — the ruling CPP and the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP).

Opposition leader Kem Sokha hopes to get 60 per cent of the vote, which is a remarkable ambition considering the CPP secured 97 per cent of commune chief positions in 2012.

Since then, the two main opposition factions have united, and Cambodians have had five more years of graft and cronyism from Hun Sen’s Government.

Photo: Kem Sokha, president of the opposing CNRP, hopes to get 60 per cent of the vote. (AP: Heng Sinith)

“A lot of the problems that existed prior to 2013 — land grabbing, deforestation, the wide spectrum of day-to-day corruption that ordinary people have to put us with — all of these things have continued,” said Mr Strangio.

Pre-election polls are outlawed, but anecdotally there is a lot of enthusiasm for the Opposition.

“People are longing to see the change,” said Meas Ny, an independent political commentator in Cambodia.

“Through Facebook people can get information instantly every day … so it builds the capacity of people to see that change is needed for their country and their society.”

While the CPP hands out free T-shirts and cash gifts to lure voters, a feature of opposition rallies has been a tuktuk carrying a well-stuffed donation box, as working-class supporters help fund the party dollar-by-dollar.

Photo: Supporters of opposition party CNRP march during the last day of campaigning ahead of the elections. (AP: Heng Smith)

Military supports ruling party ‘forever’

One of the key features of this election campaign has been the role of the military, with any thin pretence of neutrality dropped altogether.

“[The military will support] Hun Sen, the President of the Cambodian People’s Party, as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia for the next electoral mandate — and forever,” said Chea Dara, the deputy commander in chief of the armed forces.

In case anyone missed the message, Cambodia’s Defence Minister Tea Banh threatened to “smash the teeth” of anyone protesting if the CPP wins on Sunday.

There are also allegations soldiers are being strategically deployed and illegally registered to vote in marginal seats.

The Phnom Penh Post newspaper reported that 300 soldiers were recalled from their border base in Preah Vihear province and registered in Srayang Commune, which the Opposition won by just 92 votes in 2012.

It’s perhaps not surprising the army leans towards the ruling party — in 2015 the Government made almost every commander of a brigade, regiment or division a member of the CPP Central Committee.

“I think they genuinely believe that losing power would cause the country to spiral back into some form of conflict … and that by taking a firm stance to quash that threat, they’re doing the right thing,” said Mr Strangio.

On the positive side — ignoring dubious registration of soldiers — the voter lists that were so often the root of electoral irregularities in the past are reportedly much improved this year.

Facing up to Generation Facebook

It’s perhaps telling that none of the young people the ABC spoke to actually went to Hun Sen’s rally — but they all tuned in via a live Facebook feed.

Both sides have battled to capture the Facebook audience, the media wild card in a country where the CPP has traditionally owned most radio, TV and newspapers.

“A new young generation of voters has entered the arena … [and] these are young people that have no experience of civil war or upheaval,” said Mr Strangio.

Photo: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is the world’s sixth longest-serving premier. (Supplied: The Phnom Penh Post)

One of those new generation voters is Phea, who makes a potent image of new-meets-old as he skateboards around the Socialist-style Vietnamese-Cambodian Friendship Monument in the capital.

He’s 24 years old: the median age in this youthful nation.

“I already have [the candidate] in my mind because choosing the right leader will also affect your family,” Phea told the ABC, being careful not to give away his preference.

He is on semester break from RMIT University in Vietnam and his wider experiences has shown him that Cambodia is still a country in transition.

“I really want to see Khmer kids developing, changing their behaviour — I think they still have low education,” said Phea, who says he was one of Cambodia’s first skateboarders.

Like the political leaders and the thousands who have rallied in recent days, the young man understands the importance of today’s vote as a scene-setter for next year’s national election.

“You have to really think carefully because different people might do different things for your country,” he said.

Topics:

elections,

world-politics,

cambodia

First posted June 04, 2017 07:31:12

3 June 2017 | 9:31 pm

Liam Cochrane

Source : ABC News

>>>Click Here To View Original Press Release>>>

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[southeastasianarchaeology]

The Reconstruction of a 10th-Century Shiva

A 10th-century dancing Shiva statue is being restored by Cambodian and French teams, symbolising Khmer heritage and artistry.

via Phnom Penh Post, 03 March 2024: A collaborative effort between Cambodian and French conservators is bringing a 10th-century statue of a dancing Shiva back to life, after its discovery in fragments at Koh Ker’s Prasat Krahorm. Led by Chhan Chamroeun and Eric Bourdonneau, the team has painstakingly pieced together over 2,500 pieces since 2019, achieving 65% completion. It is a process that is…

[southeastasianarchaeology]

Enhancing Visitor Safety: First-Aid Training for Remote Temple Guides

Tour guides at Preah Vihear and Koh Ker temples receive first-aid training to enhance safety and care for visitors in Cambodia's remote temple sites.

via Phnom Penh Post, 25 February 2024: The National Authority for Preah Vihearhttps://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/tag/preah-vihear/ recently conducted first-aid training for 37 tour guides from the Preah Vihear and Koh Ker temples, aiming to enhance visitor safety in these remote temple areas. The training is designed to equip guides with the necessary skills to provide immediate assistance…

[southeastasianarchaeology]

Geological Study Underway at Prasat Chen

A joint team is studying the impact of landslides on Chen Temple's stability within the Koh Ker complex, aiming to ensure the ancient site's preservation through detailed geological analysis.

via Khmer Times, 20 February 2024: The National Authority for Preah Vihear and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia have initiated a geological study at the Prasat Chen within the Koh Ker complex to assess the impact of landslides on its stability. This critical research aims to understand the soil composition and topography beneath the temple to devise conservation strategies. The National…

[southeastasianarchaeology]

Koh Ker Temple Outshines Preah Vihear in Tourist Visits

Cambodia's Koh Ker temple saw a 71.2% surge in visitors in 2023, outpacing the iconic Preah Vihear temple, which experienced a 16.7% decline. Over 200,000 tourists visited these UNESCO-listed sites, with future plans to boost tourism through sports events

via various source, 02-03 January 2024: Cambodia’s Koh Ker temple has witnessed a remarkable 71.2% increase in visitor numbers, contrasting with a 16.7% decline at Preah Vihear temple. In 2023, over 200,000 tourists visited these historical sites, with Koh Ker attracting 105,464 and Preah Vihear drawing 92,966 visitors. Kong Puthika, the director-general of the National Authority for Preah…

[southeastasianarchaeology]

Japanese-Cambodian Collaboration Reveals Ceramic Secrets

Japanese students use radar to study Cambodia's ancient ceramics at Koh Ker temple, focusing on kiln structures and pottery production history.

via Phnom Penh Post, 25 December 2023: In a collaborative effort between Japan’s National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (NICH) and the Preah Vihear National Authority, six Japanese students are utilizing ground-penetrating radar (GPR) at the ancient Kork Dei Chhnang ceramic kiln near Koh Ker temple in Cambodia. This research, led by Japanese professor Yukitsugu Tabata, focuses on ancient…

[southeastasianarchaeology]

International Experts Unite for Cambodia's World Heritage

via Khmer Times, 11 December 2023: The National Authority of Preah Vihear and ICC-Preah Vihear convened a comprehensive meeting to discuss conservation, restoration, and development strategies for the World Heritage sites of Preah Vihear and Koh Ker. Held in Siem Reap, the meeting saw participation from international experts and aimed to review techniques, results, and challenges in preserving…

[southeastasianarchaeology]

Koh Ker Temple Closes Temporarily for National Prayer Ceremony

via Khmer Times, 26 September 2023: Koh Ker temple closed on Sep 29, 7am-12pm, for a national prayer ceremony celebrating its UNESCO World Heritage status.

via Khmer Times, 26 September 2023: The National Authority of Preah Vihear has announced a temporary suspension of visits to the Koh Ker temple on September 29, 2023, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The closure is to facilitate a national prayer ceremony celebrating the temple’s recent inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The suspension is to hold a national prayer ceremony on the occasion…

[southeastasianarchaeology]

China and Cambodia Discuss Preah Vihear Conservation Plans

via Khmer Times, 19 September 2023: Chinese and Cambodian experts met to discuss the conservation of Preah Vihear temple's gopuras, with a detailed plan expected in 2024.

via Khmer Times, 19 September 2023: Chinese experts and the National Authority of Preah Vihear convened on September 18, 2023, to discuss the conservation plans for the first, second, and third gopura of the Preah Vihear temple, with a detailed restoration plan set to be completed in 2024. Through this discussion, Chinese experts are scheduled to visit the primary temple structure in November…

[southeastasianarchaeology]

Preah Vihear Temple's 10-Year Tourism Plan Unveiled

via Phnom Penh Post, 25 August 2023: A five-day conference was recently held by the National Authority for Preah Vihear to draft a 10-year tourism development plan for the Preah Vihear Temple, involving various stakeholders.

via Phnom Penh Post, 25 August 2023: A five-day conference was recently held by the National Authority for Preah Vihear to draft a 10-year tourism development plan for the Preah Vihear Temple, involving various stakeholders. The NAPV explained that the participants deliberated over their vision for tourism development, development plans at local, district and provincial levels, local traditions…

[southeastasianarchaeology]

Rich architectural heritage focus for NAPV

via Phnom Penh Post, 07 August 2023: The National Authority for Preah Vihear hosted a workshop on conservation and stone repair techniques at the Koh Ker temple complex, aiming to gather insights for future conservation efforts.

via Phnom Penh Post, 07 August 2023: The National Authority for Preah Vihear hosted a workshop on conservation and stone repair techniques at the Koh Ker temple complex, aiming to gather insights for future conservation efforts. Presiding over the workshop were NAPV deputy director-general Hem Sinath, professor Hans Leisen and APSARA National Authority (ANA) deputy director-general Kim Sothin.…

[southeastasianarchaeology]

UNESCO, NAPV partner for archival project at Preah Vihear

via Phnom Penh Post, 13 July 2023: The National Authority for Preah Vihear, with support from UNESCO, plans to create an archival management system for the World Heritage site, aiming to compile all relevant documents into a secure system.

via Phnom Penh Post, 13 July 2023: The National Authority for Preah Vihear, with support from UNESCO, plans to create an archival management system for the World Heritage site, aiming to compile all relevant documents into a secure system that can be easily accessed and used by various NAPV departments. He also said that the archive system would significantly improve the efficiency of research,…

[southeastasianarchaeology]

Koh Ker goes green on National Arbour Day

via Phnom Penh Post, 11 July 2023: National Authority for Preah Vihear and locals plant 500 trees at Koh Ker temple complex on Arbour Day, greening roads and rejuvenating forests to promote environmental responsibility.

via Phnom Penh Post, 11 July 2023: In celebration of Arbour Day, the National Authority for Preah Vihear and local residents planted 500 tree saplings at the Koh Ker temple complex, aiming to greenify the roads and rejuvenate forest ecosystems while fostering environmental responsibility and love for conservation. As part of the celebration of Arbour Day, the National Authority for Preah Vihear…