ThaRum

Preah Vihear, Cambodia - Prasat Preah Vihear, an Angkorian temple situated on a ridge in the Dangrek Mountains in Cambodia, just across the border from Thailand. As its location on the border between Cambodia and Thailand, ownership of the area was disputed until 1967, when the International Court of Justice ruled that it belonged to Cambodia.

“Prasat Khao Phra Wiharn in Thai. Perhaps the best place for meditation.”

It was one of the most exciting trips ever taken. Taking a bus with a group of nearly 30 people, we left Phnom Penh to Tbeng Mean Chey of Preah Vihear province, but just before reaching the provincial capital we took an adventurous road to visit by ox-cart trail for a 30km road. After staying a night in Tbeng Mean Chey, just after dawn we headed to Prasat Preah Vihear. The temple-mountain complex runs 800m along a north-south axis, which sits on the clifftop at the southern end of the complex (approximately 120m above the northern end of the complex and 525m above the Cambodian plain). To get to the rooftop of the moutain, some of us got moto taxi, the others took pick-up truck. At first a small of group of mine thought of walking up. It takes about two hours. But as the pick-up truck driver approached to fill in his cab by offering discount price, we accepted. And so we had more time to explore the ancient architecture.

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My journey into a jungle to Preah Khan, a temple dedicated to King Jayavarman VII. From Phnom Penh to Tbeng Mean Chey, provincial captial of Preah Vihear province.

Leaving the Cambodian capital city, I visited, for the first time, some of the most mysterious ancient temples, built in the pre-Angkorian period in Preah Vihear province. Geographically this temple is located in the northeast of Angkor Thom.

Taken with traditional film camera, SRL Nikon F75.

A Cambodian girl living nearby Preah Khan temple. She has just picked up some vegetable to cook for dinner. That said, amazingly friendly people!

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