The temple of doom

It is impossible to know what got into the minds of those behind the construction of the scale model of Preah Vihear. The chosen site alone seems an obvious jibe at Cambodia. The mini-version of Cambodia’s second most loved ancient site went up in secret. It was unveiled in the media including the front page of this newspaper on April 25, then within hours was closed to the public. Last week the order came to tear it down, setting an apparent record for the shortest-lived “tourist attraction” in Thai history.

Mini-Preah Vihear was built on a hilltop a few hundred metres from the real temple, at the Si Sa Ket province border. From atop Pha Mor-E-Daeng, the expected Thai tourists could look down on Cambodia’s Preah Vihear, which one supposes was the plan. Despite appeals from virtually every Thai leader from Gen Sarit Thanarat to Gen Prayut Chano-cha, a tiny minority of nationalists have never been able to reconcile with the 1962 International Court of Justice decision that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia. Some Thai departments to this day are still seeking joint control of the temple grounds.

There is plenty of evidence of this refusal to respect that court decision, and the second, clearer one, in 2013. The deniers have embarrassed this country with their protests that blame Cambodia for the ICJ decisions. Some have wound up in Cambodian prisons for misguided and selfdefeating crusades to “reclaim” the area in the name of Thailand. Their crusades may have seemed whimsical, but they have frequently caused tension at the border. As recently as 2010, Thais and Cambodians died in military confrontations over ill-conceived and jingoistic flag-waving.

The latest such incident was the construction of the miniPreah Vihear. Credit (and blame) is claimed by Col Thanasak Mitraphanont. News reports have generally identified him as a former commander of the 23rd Rangers at Si Sa Ket. In truth, Col Thanasak is a military mind very much favoured in the coup regime. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha appointed him to the original National Reform Council. He was a key opponent of last year’s draft constitution. As a result of his Preah Vihear adventure, however, he has been transferred to an inactive post, meaning the regime has stripped away his trust.

Col Thanasak said he donated three million baht of his own money to fund mini-Preah Vihear, while another two million baht came from donations. That is a large amount for a retired colonel, whose most recent employment paid less than 50,000 baht per month. The 2nd Army reports the actual site of the ill-fated project is state land under military control. Its close proximity makes the area extremely important to border control.

Contrary to Thai media reports, Cambodia issued a fast and furious condemnation of mini-Preah Vihear. Official government spokesman Phay Siphan, on the day the replica was revealed in the press, said it went against “the principles of civilised nations”. That is so overstated. Still, it indicates the passion which Phnom Penh holds for its national treasures; for example, there is the case of the completely false rumour that a Thai TV actress had disrespected Angkor Wat which triggered wild riots in which the Thai embassy was razed.

There is no longer any rational response to Thai ultranationalism. Prime Minister Prayut, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and the 2nd Army commander have combined to get rid of the faux temple. It is unfortunate so much money was wasted, state land misused and good neighbourly relations put at risk.

Cambodia issued a fast and furious condemnation.