TA PHRAYA A POTENTIAL NEW GATEWAY TO CAMBODIA

Shorter and more convenient route to famed Banteay Chhmar temple ruins found for tourists

Story by PLOENPOTE ATTHAKOR

A major battlefield during the peak of border conflicts with Cambodia in the 1970s, Ta Phraya has now turned into a potential gateway for tourists to visit Thailand's neighbouring country. Ratri Saengrungrueng, chairwoman of a tour operators club in this eastern province, said the route to Cambodia from Ta Phraya, which is an alternative to the Aranyaprathet checkpoint, has gained popularity with tourists wishing to visit the famous Khmer temple ruins of Banteay Chhmar _ a gigantic 12th-century Bayon sanctuary housing a four-faced monument and a magnificent bas-relief depicting a 32-armed Bodhisattva lokeshvara.

''The ancient ruins are in Banteay Meanchey's Thma Pouk district, just 47km from the Thai-Cambodian border,'' Mrs Ratri said.

She pointed out that border regulations, however, remain a major obstacle as the Ta Phraya checkpoint is open only to Ta Phraya residents, who are required to obtain a border pass from the Ta Phraya district chief for the visit.

Non-residents cannot do so and must either seek the provincial governor's written permission or enter Banteay Meanchey through the conventional route via the Aranyaprathet checkpoint, a distance of 119km altogether. [It is 49km from the checkpoint to Sisophon town, and another 70km from the town to the ancient ruins.]

''Last month our club organised a trip to Banteay Chhmar via Ta Phraya for members of tour agencies.,'' she said.

''They all agreed it was a fastastic route. The dirt road is in acceptable condition, and if open to tourism should greatly benefit the local economy,'' she added, noting that the Burapa Tourism Association _ an umbrella tourism promotion organisation for Nakhon Nayok, Sa Kaeo, Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao and Samut Prakan _ has pledged to push for its opening.

The Ta Phraya-Thma Pouk route is much more convenient than the other route as tourists can do a return trip within one day and also have enough spare time to explore the other attractions along the way, including the smaller Banteay Tuop ruins and a beautiful temple with a sacred Buddha in it, she said.

''The new route is an opportunity for local hotels and restaurants to exploit as well, as non-residents are likely to stay overnight in Sa Kaeo, either before or after the Banteay Chhmar journey. It's a trickle-down effect,'' she said.

Currently, tourists entering Cambodia through the conventional Aranyaprathet route have to stay overnight in Sisophon. Hotels in Sisophon are not very impressive, said Mrs Ratri.

It would do tourism a lot of good if the Thai government eases border regulations and authorises lower-ranking officials, like the district chief, to grant permission to non-residents, instead of waiting for the governor to do so on a case-by-case basis which is too time-consuming.

''We have to admit that Sa Kaeo itself is no tourism magnet for visitors. But the Ta Phraya route could make a difference,'' said Mrs Ratri.

However, her proposal has been given a cool reception by the provincial authorities. ''Those in power never see its importance,'' she said.

A provincial official has responded to her call by saying that the governor does not have the power to change any border regulations. Besides, he said, the change may not be worthwhile given the small number of travellers expected to go there.

However, Ta Phraya district chief Thammasak Rattanathanya has endorsed the idea.

He said the proposal is very interesting as it could help bolster the border economies of both Thailand and Cambodia if implemented.

''I will do whatever I can in my capacity to facilitate tourism,'' he said.

Governor Surapong Pongtadsirikul was not available for comment yesterday.