Khao Phra Wihan National Park

Khao Phra Wihan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติ) is the Thai gateway to Cambodia's Prasat Preah Vihear and takes its name from the Thai translation of the temple's Khmer name. The other entrance to the temple is from Cambodia's Preah Vihear province. The entrance to the park and temple ruins is generally open to everyone and no Cambodian visa is required but on occasion is closed due to Cambodian-Thai political tensions. This park is situated in the currently 4.6 km² overlapping area awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but still claimed by Thailand. [ [http://www.preah-vihear.com/ Preah Vihear Temple and the Thai's Misunderstanding of the World Court Judgment of 15 June 1962 - Preah-Vihear.com ] ]

The highlight of the park (aside from going to the Cambodian temple) is a nearby cliff just east of the promontory on which Prasat Preah Vihear resides, which allows a good overall view of the temple complex about 1/2 mile away. Also from this location a mysterious artwork is visible along a narrow cliffside path which leads down towards the temple on the east side of the cliff and is blocked by a large gate about 50ft down. The artwork is a relief sculpture carved into the cliff just beyond the gate. The origin and type of characters depicted has been speculated on greatly since they do not seem to match known Khmer (Cambodian) or Buddhist styles. Caution this cliffside path has a railing but it is far from safe, do not attempt if you are afraid of heights, you should assume the strength of the railing is suspect.

References

External links

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* [http://www.preah-vihear.com Preah-Vihear.com] - Preah Vihear Temple and the Thai's Misunderstanding of the World Court Judgment of 15 June 1962
* [http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?sum=284&code=ct&p1=3&p2=3&case=45&k=46&p3=5 Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear] - International Court of Justice
* [http://www.khmerwebgroup.com/tourismcambodia/preah_vihear.php Prasat Preah Vihear] An Khmer temple.