Tourism Indochina: Cambodians cheer World Heritage nod for temple

Tourism Indochina: Cambodians cheer World Heritage nod for temple

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-07-10):

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - CAMBODIANS celebrated in the streets on 8 July 2008 over their nation's success in having an ancient Hindu temple named a World Heritage landmark.But the decision is set to stoke political tensions in Thailand, with the top court questioning the legality of Bangkok's support for the Cambodian bid.In Phnom Penh, thousands of people danced, sang and waved flags, chanting 'Long live Preah Vihear temple!' in response to news of the World Heritage Site status.


'This is a very auspicious day for us. We're delighted,' said medical student Ti Vansi.Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a statement yesterday, calling the temple's designation 'a new pride for the people of Cambodia'. UNESCO spokesman Joanna Sullivan said on Monday that the temple had been designated a heritage site at a meeting in Quebec City.The building, which lies along the disputed Thai-Cambodian border, has long been a point of contention between the two countries.


In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles with Thais, even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor Wat in north-western Cambodia.


Cambodia started seeking the World Heritage status for the temple in 2001, hoping for the influx of tourists and international funding that normally accompany such a designation.In the past, Thailand had vetoed its neighbour's submissions for fear that the status would include disputed land along the border.


But Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's government bypassed Parliament and endorsed Cambodia's application.Yesterday, the Constitutional Court ruled 8-1 that the communique approved by the Cabinet last month needed parliamentary approval.The opposition Democrat Party pounced on the verdict, saying it would launch a Senate petition to oust Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, who had sought Cabinet approval for the communique.


Under the Constitution, lawmakers can ask the Speaker to investigate unconstitutional actions by a minister.'We are aiming to terminate Noppadon first,' chief opposition whip Satit Wongnongtaey said, adding that a petition to remove the entire Cabinet may eventually be submitted.


By K. Kesavapany

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Tourism Indochina: 10,000 Cambodians rally to celebrate ancient temple's World Heritage status

Tourism Indochina: 10,000 Cambodians rally to celebrate ancient temple's World Heritage status

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-07-15):

Cambodia - Cambodians celebrated the U.N.'s listing of an 11th-century Hindu temple as a world cultural landmark with a mass rally, fireworks and plenty of nationalist songs Monday.A crowd estimated by authorities at 10,000 — some wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with the image of Preah Vihear temple — gathered to cheer the recognition by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee a week ago.


The listing angered political leaders in neighboring Thailand, and sparked small protests by some Thais who feared it would jeopardize their country's claims to disputed land adjacent to the site. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who headed his government's lobbying efforts for the temple's status, recounted what he called repeated attempts by Thailand to prevent Cambodia from unilaterally pursuing its goal.


He dismissed as unacceptable Thailand's demand for a joint application with Cambodia because that would mean Phnom Penh would have to share ownership of the site."Our cause is just and fair. Our achievement is of great significance given the tough struggle we have managed to overcome," Sok An said to loud applause. "It also further reaffirms that Preah Vihear temple is Cambodia's."


In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles many Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex in northwestern Cambodia.


Some Thais have been protesting the UNESCO listing near the border and demanding the eviction of Cambodians living on land near the temple. In response, Cambodia has sealed off access from Thailand to the temple, forcing many Cambodian vendors who survive on income from tourists to close their shops, said Hang Soth, director-general of the national authority for Preah Vihear temple.


He said some villagers were surviving on food aid sent by the Cambodian Red Cross.Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has accused Thai opposition politicians of exploiting the cross-border dispute to advance their own domestic political agenda and warned they might endanger bilateral relations.

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The Most Recommended world heritage site worldwide is Angkor Wat

According to the quarter million of survey conducted under collaboration of UNESCO and Trip Advisor, it revealed that most recommended world heritage site worldwide is Angkor Wat , a human treasure in Kingdom of Cambodia and that 72 % of traveler would do more to contribute to world heritage site conservation if they know how.

Trip Advisor revealed the result of the biggest analysis ever conducted of UNESCO World Heritage Site around the world. This result collected via on site and email campaign of trip advisor from around a quarter of a million (244,690) feedback submission of travelers who have visited 789 of world heritage site list.

The two year- partnership between Trip Advisor and UNESCO world Heritage Site promote awareness to support cultural and natural site of world heritage site and also 1.5 million (USD) is donated by TripAdvisor to help World heritage Center in conservation.

According to Trip Advisor Travelers, the “Top Ten” most recommended sites are:

1. Angkor, Cambodia 2. Historic Center of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See, Italy 3. Historic Center of Florence, Italy 4. Historic Areas of Istanbul, Turkey 5. Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, Scotland 6. Historic Center of Prague, Czech Republic 7. Venice and its Lagoon, Venezia, Italy 8. Works of Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona, Spain 9. Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret’s Cathedral, London, England 10. Historic Center of Vienna, Austria

We, Cambodian are very proud to have Angkor as the most recommended world heritage site ever recorded in the world among others site and pleased to warmly welcome for tourism in Cambodia, a kingdom of wonder.

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Australian Government reinforces its Funds in Trust for conservation of Angkor and other heritage

The Australian Funds-in-Trust, established in August 2008 between the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the Australian Government, has been increased. A sum of $AUS830, 000 has been added to the Australian Government's first generous contribution of $AUS2.5 million. From the Funds-in-Trust, $AUS1.13 million will be used to support the development of a conservation and management plan for the World Heritage property of Angkor, Cambodia, through a project called Heritage Management Framework. The framework is designed to strengthen the technical expertise and governance of the Cambodian Government managing agency, APSARA, so that the benefits of tourism and development at Angkor can be shared fairly while ensuring environment protection.

The Funds-in-Trust was created to support World Heritage-related activities in Asia and the Pacific region, with a particular priority to projects in the Pacific region, which is still one of the least represented regions on the World Heritage List.

The Funds-in-Trust will also support the organization of a workshop on the future direction of the World Heritage Convention to be held in February 2009. This workshop, requested by the World Heritage Committee, is meant to reflect on global strategic issues, key challenges, trends and opportunities facing the World Heritage Convention in view of its upcoming fortieth anniversary in 2012.

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Cambodia Tourism Peak Season: Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours ready to serve

Cambodia tourism is growing notably. Cambodian Ministry of tourism is reporting number of tourist arrival were up 13 percent in the first half of 2008. The World Heritage-listed ruins have been a vital engine driving Cambodia’s tourism. Cambodia has the potential attraction and provides the real experiences to tourists as Ministry of tourism has proposed a news tourism slogan-Visiting Cambodia, Kingdom of Wonder- which reflects the tremendousness of Cambodia’s tourism. During holiday vacation and peak season for tourism in Cambodia, the reservation rate in tourism industry is expected to be high.

As yet Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours, one of the leading tour operators in the Indochina Region, is ready for the TRAVEL peak season. We are fully licensed as international tour operators and recognized as a leading luxury holiday and vacation organizer arranging private and group tours to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. Why Travel with us?

Bayon Heritage offers exciting and enjoyable trips ranging from free and easy tours to challenging activities and in-depth exploration of culture, history, tradition, and lifestyle, including a wonderful variety of cuisines, vistas, and personal encounters in the enchanting, unspoiled landscapes of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.

With in-depth local knowledge, our friendly tour operators provide holiday experiences that you will remember and treasure long after your holiday has ended. We tailor our tours to suit each traveler’s needs and to exceed their expectations -- including the most discerning of travelers. Customer satisfaction is highly taken in to consideration and is our great success.

Selecting Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours as your travel consultant is smarter decision making and choice to fully taste travel experience with suitable price that won’t disappoint you. So DO NOT Wait! The time is now to travel to enjoy your holiday in Indochina region with Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours who is a smart travel consultant standing next to you while on trip. To book your trip, please link to http://www.tourismindochina.com/ .


By CHHEM Samnang

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The listing of Preah Vihear Temple as world heritage site could boost Cambodia Tourism

Preah Vihear is one of the most fascinating places in the world, with its ancient ruins and mysterious temple. Preah Vihear temple is the historical site named “Se Khari Svarak” means “power of mountain” and was built at the end of 9th century and at the beginning of 10th century by four Cambodian kings namely: Preah Bat Yak So Varman I (AD 889-910), Preah Bat Sorya Varman I (AD 1002-1050), Preah Bat Chey Varman VI (AD 1080-1109) and Preah Bat Sorya Varman II (AD 1113-1150).


After having been listed the Preah Vihear, a temple built in at the end 9th century, as a world heritage site, Cambodian was very happy with victorious event of the nation and celebrated a congratulation party at stadium in Phnom Penh. Listing Preah Vihear Temple as a world heritage site could not only help preserve the temple but also reflect an economic miracle that would help mitigate poverty, one of the most crucial Millennium Development Goals of Cambodia, through the tourism economic contribution while Cambodia’s Tourism Action Plan targeted 3.2 million tourists by 2010 and 5 million tourists in 2015. Preah Vihear's World Heritage listing reflects the success of the Cambodian Government's Economic Quadrangle policy.


It is no surprise to say that Preah Vihear Temple is one of the most foremost temples in Cambodia. Significantly, promoting the Preah Vihear site as a Cultural Development Area would be an option to enable Cambodia to enjoy economic benefits and let the world to increase cultural understanding as well as cultural link in the region via tourists flow.


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10,000 Cambodians rally to celebrate ancient temple's World Heritage status

Cambodia - Cambodians celebrated the U.N.'s listing of an 11th-century Hindu temple as a world cultural landmark with a mass rally, fireworks and plenty of nationalist songs Monday.A crowd estimated by authorities at 10,000 — some wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with the image of Preah Vihear temple — gathered to cheer the recognition by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee a week ago.


The listing angered political leaders in neighboring Thailand, and sparked small protests by some Thais who feared it would jeopardize their country's claims to disputed land adjacent to the site. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who headed his government's lobbying efforts for the temple's status, recounted what he called repeated attempts by Thailand to prevent Cambodia from unilaterally pursuing its goal.


He dismissed as unacceptable Thailand's demand for a joint application with Cambodia because that would mean Phnom Penh would have to share ownership of the site."Our cause is just and fair. Our achievement is of great significance given the tough struggle we have managed to overcome," Sok An said to loud applause. "It also further reaffirms that Preah Vihear temple is Cambodia's."


In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles many Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex in northwestern Cambodia.


Some Thais have been protesting the UNESCO listing near the border and demanding the eviction of Cambodians living on land near the temple. In response, Cambodia has sealed off access from Thailand to the temple, forcing many Cambodian vendors who survive on income from tourists to close their shops, said Hang Soth, director-general of the national authority for Preah Vihear temple.


He said some villagers were surviving on food aid sent by the Cambodian Red Cross.Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has accused Thai opposition politicians of exploiting the cross-border dispute to advance their own domestic political agenda and warned they might endanger bilateral relations.


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