Border temple opened for worship

Border temple opened for worship

Last minute green light saves the day

The mounting tension on the border eased down perceptibly after a last minute decision by Thai border security forces to allow hundreds of devotees to participate in the religious ceremony at the Shan temple that straddles both sides of the border between the two countries today (15 April). 

Adherents from both sides greeted each other heartily at the Fa Wiang Inn Monastry that stands between Burma's Mongton Township and Thailand's Wianghaeng District this morning, after the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, commanded by Col Chavalit Sirikij, concluded that it was all right to make some allowance for the sake of religion. Village elders

had for 4 consecutive days been trying almost in vain to obtain permission from the Thai authorities. 

"It's fortunate for all of us it's opened in time," said Panlu, 53, from Pang Kamkaw, opposite Laktaeng Village in Wianghaeng District, "because we have already started thinking seriously whether we should take all its timber back.

Not a single piece of wood used in its construction was from the Thai side." 

That would spell disaster, said elders from Laktaeng, a village of more than a hundred households. "We don't care whether the temple is in Thai or Burmese territory," said one. "But Fa Wiang Inn belongs to all of us who have built it and all those who have taken refuge in it since." 

About an hour's walk away in the east is Paeksem, near which the clash on 25 March has brought thousands of Thai, Burmese and Wa fighters to the surrounding area. 

One Thai officer had allegedly told the villagers that they could observe the Songkran (Sangkyan in Shan and Thingyan in Burmese) in the Burmese territory. "His ignorance angered the people," said an elder from the Thai side. "Think what will happen if the timber is really taken away. Everything we don't want, anger, hatred, conflict and war will come. Isn't it peace and friendship that we want?" 

The temple together with the pagoda nearby, constructed in 1968, is technically in both countries, according to him. "It belongs to both countries and both should take advantage of the fact to foster peace and friendship."