March 5, 2008
BANGKOK - Thai government reached an agreement with Cambodian government to have the disputed Preah Vihear temple complex listed as a United Nations World Heritage site.
Thailand and Cambodia have historically both laid claim to Preah Vihear, an ancient Hindu site perched high on a mountaintop on the Thai-Cambodia border, according to AFP.
Prime Minister Samak revealed the government reached a conclusion to let Cambodia list the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.
However, the World Heritage site will not cover the surrounding land.
A joint communiqué will be issued later.
Thailand and Cambodia will jointly manage the area surrounding the temple, according to Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama.
UNESCO last year ruled against granting the temple coveted World Heritage status.
Preah Vihear, which sits on Cambodian soil but can only be easily accessed from Thailand, has long affected Thai-Cambodian relations.
