The Bangkok Post
Saturday August 02, 2008
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's wife Bun Rany yesterday hosted a huge ritual at the Preah Vihear temple to bless the country with good luck and to give it power against the backdrop of a dispute with Thailand over the area surrounding the temple.
The ceremony, chosen to coincide with a solar eclipse yesterday, was attended by about 1,000 people, including high-ranking officials, priests and experts in rituals. The ritual started at 9.30am.
Far from softening its stance on the temple after it was declared a World Heritage site by Unesco, angering Thailand, Cambodia is flaunting the site.
"We have all been preparing for Bun Rany's arrival. We have no security concerns because as a World Heritage site, the temple is a tourist destination, not a war zone," Preah Vihear Deputy Governor Ka Lean said by telephone.
Although Bun Rany is the wife of Prime Minister Hun Sen, she is a powerful political force in her own right.
Her presence was expected to boost the morale of Cambodian civilians and military on the border near the temple.
Thailand sent troops into what it maintains is disputed land, but Cambodia declared the area to be its sovereign territory more than two weeks ago in a move that severely strained diplomatic relations.
The Cambodian ritual at the Preah Vihear temple raised fears among many Thai people, who say it could bring bad luck to Thailand.
The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders last night led thousands of their supporters in a rival ritual to protect the country and block any ill-effects from the Cambodian one. Many Thais believe some Cambodians have expertise in black magic.
Thai people in Si Sa Ket and nearby provinces who heard about the Cambodian ritual at the Preah Vihear temple persuaded others to wear yellow, a colour they say will help the country stave off the effects of the ceremony.
One resident said that it was also a full moon last night and Cambodian people believe it was a sacred day - a good day for holding a ritual. BANGKOK POST and DPA
Saturday August 02, 2008
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's wife Bun Rany yesterday hosted a huge ritual at the Preah Vihear temple to bless the country with good luck and to give it power against the backdrop of a dispute with Thailand over the area surrounding the temple.
The ceremony, chosen to coincide with a solar eclipse yesterday, was attended by about 1,000 people, including high-ranking officials, priests and experts in rituals. The ritual started at 9.30am.
Far from softening its stance on the temple after it was declared a World Heritage site by Unesco, angering Thailand, Cambodia is flaunting the site.
"We have all been preparing for Bun Rany's arrival. We have no security concerns because as a World Heritage site, the temple is a tourist destination, not a war zone," Preah Vihear Deputy Governor Ka Lean said by telephone.
Although Bun Rany is the wife of Prime Minister Hun Sen, she is a powerful political force in her own right.
Her presence was expected to boost the morale of Cambodian civilians and military on the border near the temple.
Thailand sent troops into what it maintains is disputed land, but Cambodia declared the area to be its sovereign territory more than two weeks ago in a move that severely strained diplomatic relations.
The Cambodian ritual at the Preah Vihear temple raised fears among many Thai people, who say it could bring bad luck to Thailand.
The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders last night led thousands of their supporters in a rival ritual to protect the country and block any ill-effects from the Cambodian one. Many Thais believe some Cambodians have expertise in black magic.
Thai people in Si Sa Ket and nearby provinces who heard about the Cambodian ritual at the Preah Vihear temple persuaded others to wear yellow, a colour they say will help the country stave off the effects of the ceremony.
One resident said that it was also a full moon last night and Cambodian people believe it was a sacred day - a good day for holding a ritual. BANGKOK POST and DPA
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