Congratulation Cambodia! Preah Vihear Temple is registered. Last night I got a sms from my friend saying that the temple is registered. This morning, CTN had an interview with H.E. Sok An via telephone from Canada about this registration of the temple into the world heritage list.

This is good news for all, particularly Cambodians. It is the second historical events; the first in 1962 when the international court decided the temple belongs to Cambodia; the second is 2008 when the World Heritage Committee decided to register the temple.

This shows a big effort of the government of Cambodia, tried to register the temple in 2001. Just in recent years 2007 and 2008, the government and UNESCO work on it in which document preparation and development plan for the temple must be ready to explain the world heritage committee. It is not easy, but Cambodia makes it true.

The temple is registered and it is clear that development organizations and cultural experts will directly contact Cambodia to seek ways to conserve and develop the culture of Preah Vihear Temple. Then, tourism will be grown along with development of transportation facilities. The good news also bring hope for the development of rural Cambodia, like the Preah Vihear province.