In February 2012 only a trickle of visitors were making their way to this remote site. Access from Thailand was still not available, and the site could only be approached from Kor Muy in Cambodia. Here I obtained the necessary permit to visit the site (free). Armed with this document I boarded a 4WD pick-up for the hair-raising climb up the new and almost completed road to the temple.

At the top of the road I was met by Dina, an attractive tour guide who led me through the temple to the viewpoint beyond. From here the view over Cambodia was outstanding.

Despite a small amount of damage caused by shelling by Thai forces last year, the displays of intricate stone carvings remain.

In February the site was still heavily populated by Cambodian police and soldiers, however there were no weapons to be seen.