It was taking more than 7 hours to approach Preah Vihear town, with departing from Phnom Penh at around 6:00 am by mini-bus containing 7 persons in order to organize public forum on “People’s opinion and demand for anti-corruption law” at provincial hall by participating from deputy provincial governor, military police, police, civil servant, NGO staff and people, totaled more than 150 participants.
That was the first time for all of us to get to this province. We had prepared already plan to visit Preah Vihear temple, which located in Northern in Cambodia by the Thai border. Our plan failed it was because of torrential rain last night. It was the obstacle to us to reach the major site of the cultural heritage of the country. The site is approximately more than 100 km from the town.
Even though, heavy rain last night, we managed to travel by mini-bus, while we went in the middle of road toward the site. We went back. A red-gravel road from town to the temple was muddy, sliding. There were a few trucks getting stuck in mud and sliding into the side of road. There was water settling into the big and small long pits on road. Before departure, provincial residents told us that it was hard to access to the temple due to rain last night. It was unlucky for us not to see the temple.
Even local people is hard to reach and see temple, why does the government not to build smooth road to get to the temple? How to attract foreign tourists to visit it? Government always is proud that there are many tourists visiting Cambodia. On the contrary, the road to access the tourist site is hard. Maybe senior government officials are sleeping or they do not know it. If they do not they should resign from their position. We should not blame neighboring countries to encroach on our territory, because our leaders do not love their own country. If they do, no one dare to take our territorial integrity.
When I went around in province, what it made me interested is that there was that the price of guesthouse in Preah Vihear is more expensive than other provinces and Phnom Penh. One room with double bed and air-conditioner is from $15 to $17 per night. A room equipped with fan for double bed is only $6 per night. At the time, I asked guesthouse owner why it is expensive. And then she said that it is because of high price of electricity, worth 2000 Riel per kilowatt, run by private company.
One other thing, the price of food was not so expensive. While me and other colleagues had dinner at the restaurant. The owner asked us to order dishes. And she said whether you needed to order wildlife meat. I was surprised and asked myself why local authorities do not ban them from selling wildlife. And then my colleague ordered wildlife meat for dinner.
Coming back with so sadness not to visit Preah Vihear temple that all Cambodians have to see and love it. But our public forum organized was successful by supporting from local authority to give permission to do it. One day I am hopeful I will visit Preah Vihear temple. Are you used to visiting Preah Vihear Temple? If you are not yet, you should go.
The big provincial building is under construction.
Popularity: 28% [?]
