Preah Vihear Deal Draws More Criticism

The move to have a top Cam­bod­ian tourism official fired for signing a deal that gives Thailand partial control of Preah Vihear temple gained momentum Mon­day morning, as the 30th lawmaker signed a letter to Prime Minis­ter Hun Sen asking for the official’s removal.

Funcinpec lawmaker Nan Sy has led the campaign to collect signatures on a letter to the prime minister demanding that he remove So Mara from his post as general director of tourism.

“We as MPs want the government to take action against Mr So Mara because he made a big mistake to the national interests, and the government should fire him,” Nan Sy said.

The letter, which began circulating over the weekend when news of the Preah Vihear deal became public, already has signatures from 28 Funcinpec lawmakers, one Sam Rainsy Party member, and CPP member Cheam Yeap, who was seen signing the letter Monday.

The MPs allege that So Mara, who was appointed to his current position, signed a binding agreement with the Thai government that they say illegally gives the Thais some control of the 13th century Angkorian temple and access to the funds generated by the tourists who flock there.

Preah Vihear temple is located near the Thai-Cambodian border province of Preah Vihear, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the nation, outside of Siem Reap.

MPs say the agreement undermines Cambodian sovereignty and denies the cash-strapped country of needed tourist dollars.

Because he is a prime ministerial appointee, it is up to Hun Sen to decide to fire So Mara, Nan Sy said.

So Mara could not be reached for comment Monday.

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