Domestic tourism to Preah Vihear has more than doubled since its UNESCO World Heritage listing on July 7, despite the dispute between Thai and Cambodian soldiers which has been centred on the temple grounds.

The presence of machine guns and rocket launchers could not deter proud Cambodians from visiting Preah Vihear to pay their respects to the mythic 11th-century temple and its new hoard of guardians.

"Since Thai troops entered the temple, there have been fewer foreign tourists, but the number of locals visiting has doubled," general director of the Preah Vihear National Authority, Pheng Sameoun told the Post on Sunday.

According to Pheng Sameoun, the dispute has stirred such a torrent of interest in the temple that, if the surrounding infrastructure was developed considerably, it could come to rival the Angkor Wat temple complex as Cambodia’s leading domestic holiday destination.

Chheang Solina, 22-year-old Phnom Penh high school student, said she was shocked last Sunday when she saw Thai and Cambodian soldiers occupying the temple, but was reinvigorated walking through its corridors.

"When I arrived at the top of the temple, and breathed in the fresh air, I had a feeling of great pride to be born as a Khmer," she said.

She added that she was happy because the Naga statues seemed to eat the Thai troops.

Bad roads and high transportation costs didn't stop Seng Vireak, 19, and his family from making the daylong trip from the capital, bearing food and supplies to hand out.

Many locals have been witnessed making donations of money to monks and soldiers living there.