Cambodian authorities have ordered the closure of Preah Vihear temple on the Cambodian-Thai border following protests in Thailand over the two countries’ approved new map of the temple.
Chairman of the Cambodian government’s border committee Var Kimhong said the temple was closed on June 22 evening due to fears that demonstrations may take place at the temple.
He said the site would only reopen to the public as soon as the Thai authorities ensured security at the site.
Protesters rallied last week when Thailand's government signed a joint statement with the Cambodian government that accepted a new map of the Preah Vihear temple, paving the way for Cambodia to apply for registration of the temple as a World Heritage Site.
In Thailand, the Central Administrative Court has set a hearing on June 26 to determine whether or not to issue an injunction to nullify a cabinet decision concerning the disputed Preah Vihear temple, the Thai News Agency reported on June 24.
Meanwhile, about 300 Thai senators, academics and national artists on June 24 petitioned the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to postpone its consideration of the Preah Vihear temple site.