Repatriate 'Hindu' temple? If only it were so simple…

Repatriate 'Hindu' temple? If only it were so simple…

July 6, 2011
Letter to The Nation

Re: 'Why not declare Preah Vihear Hindu territory?', Letters, July 3.

Constance Beasley's proposal is somewhat light-hearted but her premises for that fantasy require modifications.

The Preah Vihear Temple, like many other ancient temples in Cambodia, was built in the 10th century as a Hindu place of worship. Due to the general decline of Hinduism in the 13th century, almost all sites in the Khmer Empire were then converted to use by Buddhists.

Secondly, the fighting is not about the ownership of the temple (that was judged and accepted by Thailand as belonging to Cambodia) but about the territory nearby of 4.6 square kilometres that is claimed by either side as theirs.

So, dear Mrs Beasley, the problem is not as simple as you and I would have wished, since there are so many stirrers involved in making life difficult for all of us.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok