THE PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE

THE PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE

Cambodia has a lot of ancient temples in most provinces. Among those, Prasat Preah Vihear is a sacred shine which is located on the very high and smooth plateau along the Dang Rek Mountain in Preah Vihear province. This shrine first built by the king Yasa Varaman in 9th century. All forms of this temple are the basic of Khmer Arts include planning, building drafts, and other sculptures. On the sculptures we can only see Khmer Script and Sanskrit. These evidences clearly verified that “Preah Vihear” belonging to Cambodia.

Under French colony, The Preah Vihear temple was controlled by Siem (Thailand). Although our country got independent from French, Siem didn’t give it to Khmer. Moreover, Siem had used all kinds of malfeasant tricks and declared that Preah Vihear belonged to them.

In 1962, under the premiership of King Norodom Sihanouk, the King had tried all his best in demanding by peaceful talk. Finally, the international court at Lahe had judged in unanimity that Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia on 15^th June, 1962.

These enthusiastic news had spread across the whole country that made all Khmer people very happy and cheerful to congratulate in accepting this temple which was becoming as the Khmer Heritage as before.

For this testimony of satisfaction, the chief of state, King Norodom Sihanouk made a formal visiting to Preah Vihear to be the symbol of Khmer Heritage on 5^th January, 1963.