National park near Preah Vihear temple to be closed

SI SA KET, Nov 3 (TNA) -The national park near the ancient Khmer Hindu temple of Preah Vihear will be closed from Monday, eight days before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issues its ruling on disputed land, located near the temple, contested by Thailand and Cambodia. Officials at the Khao Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear) National Park in Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak border district have erected posters informing tourists that the park will be closed from 6.00 a.m. Monday. The closure which would bar visitors from entering Pa Mor I-Daeng was issued after security officials have learned that some activist groups plan to occupy the area before the Hague-based ICJ issues its final ruling on the 4.6 sq km disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple on November 11. The announcement did not say when the closure would be lifted. Tourists still visit Pa Mor I-Daeng which lies close to Preah Vihear temple as usual on Sunday. Meanwhile, some ultra-nationalist groups have set up a platform in Kantharalak district, urging people to defend the country’s territory. They have also placed posters along the streets in the district amid worries of Thai villagers living along the border. No violence has been reported so far. (TNA)