Angkor makeover continues unabated despite virus threat
ATEAM from the Apsara National Authority’s (ANA) Department of Conservation for the Angkor Archaeological Park and Archaeology Defence is continuing to design and repair infrastructure, street systems, parks, drainage systems, walkways, and renovating temples in Angkor to make the famous landmark even more attractive to tourists.
ANA spokesman Long Kosal told The Post on Monday that there is a lot of work that ANA authorities are currently doing, such as enhancing the beauty of the temples and their green spaces, and repairing and renovating the general infrastructure of the Angkor temples.
“We are doing a lot of work in these areas. We are also working on improving the water release systems in front of Angkor, planting trees, planting grass, and preparing water systems in the complex for green and dry months,” he said.
Kosal said much of the infrastructure and many kilometres of streets had already been repaired by ANA, including a lane for bicycles.
As part of the work, the team is currently working on renovating the temple complex in the middle of the pond, it has just completed restoring the temples in the area of the
Khmer Rouge and is continuing to restore the northern pond of Angkor Wat.
“Despite the challenges with Covid-19, we have turned it into an opportunity to do better work so when the pandemic slows down, we will be able to organise the conservation work of Angkor even more,” he said.
On Tuesday, the team worked to repair a wooden floor in the Angkor Wat compound. Kosal said the redevelopment of the pedestrian floor in the Angkor Wat complex was carried out regularly to promote the value of Angkor and make it easier for tourists to visit the temple.
An ANA report said in the first three months of the year, it built 70 toilets for residents in consideration of the health risks faced by the people in the Angkor area, while from 2018 to date, the ANA contributed funds to build more than 1,200 toilets.
The deputy director-general of the Department of Immigration, Keo Vanthan, told The Post on Monday that the number of tourists entering the country from January 1 to April 5 was 910,420.
It should be highlighted that the government has decided to allow foreign tourists who arrived in Cambodia after January 1 to continue their stay without any fines being levied until they can return home.