BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Preah Vihear

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03:11 GMT, Thursday, 22 May 2008 04:11 UK

In pictures: Preah Vihear

A Cambodian flag flies inside one of the lower entrance buildings

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Most visitors cross the Thai border to enter Preah Vihear, where a Cambodian flag flies prominently and a sign proclaims: "I am proud to be a Khmer".

A stone corridor runs through a series of chambers in one of the structures

A stone corridor runs through a series of chambers in one of the structures

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The temple complex is large, with several multi-chambered entrance buildings connected by stairs and paved pathways.

A statue on one of the stone staircases on the lower levels of the temple

A statue on one of the stone staircases on the lower levels of the temple

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There are statues dotted around the complex, like this one of a creature which guards one of the steep staircases.

Carved figures on a stone block near the sanctuary

Carved figures on a stone block near the sanctuary

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Many of the buildings were constructed in the 10th and 11th centuries and are elaborately carved.

A large artillery gun left behind by the Khmer Rouge

A large artillery gun left behind by the Khmer Rouge

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Evidence of Preah Vihear's troubled past is everywhere, from this gun to the bunkers that surround it and the bullet holes that mark the walls.

The view down the cliffs south into Cambodia

The view down the cliffs south into Cambodia

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From the top, the cliffs fall steeply down several hundred metres to the Cambodian jungle below.

A Cambodian stallholder, selling trinkets and animal parts

A Cambodian stallholder, selling trinkets and animal parts

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Stall-holders sit by the side of the paths, selling gems, DVDs and what they say are bits of ivory, tigers' teeth and wild cat pelts.

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