CAMBODIA: 12TH CENTURY PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE REOPENS TO TOURISTS

(2 Aug 1998) Eng/Thai/Nat A 12th century Preah Vihear temple which was once controlled by Khmer Rouge guerrillas, reopened for tourists again at the weekend. The temple, which sits on a ridge on the Thai-Cambodia border, was at the centre of a dispute between Bangkok and Phnom Penh for many years over which country had rights to the historic site. Now, even though the temple is in Cambodian territory, people will have access to the ancient site from the Thai side Hundreds of tourists lined up to buy tickets to visit an ancient Khmer temple on the Thai-Cambodia border this weekend. The 12th century Preah Vihear temple has been kept off limits for the last five years because of the civil war in Cambodia. Many were eager to be the first to visit the ruins of the Angkor-era temple which has survived the ravages of nature and war. Perched on a scenic cliff, the temple is a drawcard for tourists from around the world. SOUNDBITE: (English)