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Languages: Khmer, French, English
Religions: Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu
Status: UN Country 1955
Riel: In Khmer language Riel means "the one that shines, shinny"
Today's note is a 2007 issue of a 2,000 Riel printed by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC).
(Front) Temple of Preah Vihear at center. (Back) Women working in the fields at center.
Note: Situated on the edge of a plateau that dominates the plain of Cambodia, the Temple of Preah Vihear is dedicated to Shiva [see footnote]. The Temple is composed of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases over an 800 meter long axis and dates back to the first half of the 11th century AD. Nevertheless, its complex history can be traced to the 9th century, when the hermitage was founded. This site is particularly well preserved, mainly due to its remote location. The site is exceptional for the quality of its architecture, which is adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple, as well as for the exceptional quality of its carved stone ornamentation
The 2008 Cambodian-Thai stand-off between Thailand and Cambodia began in June 2008 as the latest round of a century-long dispute involving the area surrounding Preah Vihear Temple. Thailand claims that demarcation has not yet been completed. [11]. The dispute has now extended westwards to the Ta Moan Thom complex between the Thai Surin province and the Cambodian Oddar Meancheay province, which eventuate from Preah Vihear stand-off
[Footnote] Shiva is a major Hindu god, and one aspect of Trimurti. In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the supreme God. In the Smartha tradition, he is one of the five primary forms of God.
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