About 3,000 Thai tourists flocked to the Prasat Ta Khwai ancient ruins, near the Thai-Cambodian border in Phanom Dong Rak district of the northeastern province of Surin, yesterday to catch a rare glimpse of the Khmer-era historical site and pay tribute to Thai soldiers who sacrificed their lives reclaiming the area from Cambodian forces during fierce fighting in December last year.
The Second Army Region opened the historical site, as well as Hill 350, a strategic mountaintop outpost, to the public on June 6 and 7 and again yesterday and today. The army will now assess whether and when the ancient ruins should be reopened to visitors.
Despite the scorching sun, many visitors, wearing wide-brimmed hats and caps, began arriving at the site yesterday morning. The surrounding landscape was dotted with trees stripped of branches and leaves, serving as a grim reminder of the fierce fighting that took place there last year.
The Bak Dai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation arranged a songthaew service to transport visitors from the parking area to a point near Prasat Ta Khwai, from where they took a short uphill walk to the ruins. The fare is 100 baht per person for a round trip.
Proceeds from the fares are being used to provide food and drinking water for officials assigned to assist visitors and maintain order at the site.
One visitor, Rattanakorn Poonsraying, a resident of Prasat district, said she had visited the ancient ruins twice and found them fascinating. She encouraged more people to make the trip.
