Khao Phra Wihan National Park
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This Thai National park is the gateway to Khao Phra Whihan in Cambodia (see also Prasat Preah Vihear) from Thailand. The entrance to the Temple Ruins is generally open to everyone and no visa is required but on occasion is closed due to Thai-Cambodian political tensions.
The highlight of the park (aside from going to the temple) is a nearby cliff in Thailand named Phaa Maw I Daeng1 just east of the promontory on which Khao Phra Wihan resides, which allows a good overall view of the temple complex about 1/2 mile away in Cambodia. Also from this location a mysterious artwork is visible along a narrow cliffside path which leads down towards Cambodia on the East side of the cliff and is blocked by a large gate about 50ft down. The artwork is a relief sculpture carved into the cliff just beyond the gate. The origin and type of characters depicted has been speculated on greatly since they do not seem to match known Khmer or Buddhist styles. Caution this cliffside path has a railing but it is far from safe, do not attempt if you are afraid of heights, you should assume the strength of the railing is suspect.
1) Lonely Planet, Thailand p.762
[edit] Clarification
Khao Phra Wihan and Prasat Preah Vihear are exactly the same place, the differences in the names arise from three sources, mainly the difficulty in translating Thai or Cambodian into English, secondly the differences in the name in either Thai or Khmer, and thirdly the difference between the physical name and the proper religious name. Khao Phra Wihan is the place where the Temple is located, and is Thai-based. Prasat Preah Vihear is the Temple itself and is Khmer-based.
