Si Sa Ket locals, authorities wait eagerly for reopening of Preah Vihear, border checkpoint

Jit added that the park has also prepared all conveniences to cope with an expected surge of tourists once the checkpoint is reopened.

She said some 40 shops in the park have also been told to get ready to cope with more tourists.

Jit believes that once the checkpoint is reopened, the number of tourists visiting the park will grow to some 700,000 arrivals per year from about 220,000 now. She added that the park is currently earning approximately 10 million per year based on the number of arrivals.

Sawas Loonphong, chief of the natural resources administration division of the park, said he has been assigned to oversee tourist spots in the park and is confident that tourism will start booming as soon as the border checkpoint has reopened.

Sawas added that all the tourism spots inside the park are now ready to welcome tourists.

The spots include the Bee Hive Triangle viewpoint on the Mor I Daeng Cliff that straddles Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

There are also several historical sites for tourists to visit inside the park, including Prasat Don Tuan or the Don Tuan castle, Sawas said.

Reporters accompanying Anutin and his delegation reported that several resorts near the park were preparing for an influx of tourists.

Resorts are being opened along the road leading to the park, while Ban Phumi Sarol villagers are setting up souvenir shops.

Young Si Sa Ket-natives, Wanpiti Sihapong and Wichayuti Thammaboon, said they quit their jobs in Bangkok to open a camping site called Piti Farm on their land by the road leading to the park.

They said their site has been attracting tourists since late last year, and they expect a greater influx once the border checkpoint is reopened.