New UNESCO World Heritage Sites

A UNESCO World Heritage Listing is an honour for a country, but the recent award to the Preah Vihear Temple complex on the Thai-Cambodian border is causing some problems.

There has been controversy recently in both Thailand and Cambodia around the 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear Temple complex on the Thai-Cambodian border under consideration for a UNESCO listing. The Thai government had pressed for a delay as it wanted to apply for a joint nomination of the site, but following the World Heritage Committee meeting in Quebec City, the Temple complex was added to the Unesco list.

Despite being legally in Cambodian territory, the 1,000 year-old Preah Vihear site is only accessible from Thailand. The Thais feel miffed that Cambodia was named as the owners of the site and Cambodia fears that Thailand may mobilize a rally against them. To forestall trouble, Cambodia has closed the border area around the temple and no tourists are allowed until further notice. Tough luck on the one legged Vietnam veteran (Uncle Wan) who used to play his violin there for the tourists, his only source of income.

Resentment among people in both countries has heightened, and as “losing face” is something no Asian country likes to do, problems – and troubles – may arise from this UNESCO listing.

A boundary line that is not clear is the crux of the problem and this is caused by past, unsettled border demarcation.

In Hoi An, Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage listed town. karaoke bars and nightclubs have now been banned as part of Vietnam's drive to improve conditions and manage trade in this ancient and beautiful town. Most heavy industry has also been banned and future development will be based on arts activities, museums and the souvenir trade.

In Malaysia, Unesco has granted approved status to "the historic cities of the Straits of Malacca”, Malacca and Georgetown. The two cities have been key trading ports for over 500 years.