BANGKOK– The Prime Minister is not concerned about the impact of the Phra Viharn Temple replica on international relations with Cambodia, but is nevertheless calling for no more reporting on the issue.
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday that, although the construction of the Phra Viharn Temple replica is completed, it is still not open to visitors.
Gen. Prayut said that the decision to keep the model of the ancient Hindu temple closed is because of the legal dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which remains under the World Court’s consideration.
He stated that the issue should not be raised and there should be no attempts to do in-depth reporting on the matter in order not to affect the relationship of the two neighbors.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon said that the construction of the replica was intended to create a new tourist attraction, but because of some misunderstandings, the project is on hold.
Gen. Prawit is also confident that the project won’t have any impact on Thailand’s relations with Cambodia.
