Angkor Wat North Baray Structure Strengthening Underway

In Siem Reap province, Cambodia, the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Old City of Siem Reap (APSARA) is continuing restoration work aimed at strengthening the structure and restoring the landscape of the northern baray (reservoir) of the Angkor Wat temple complex. The current phase, the sixth stage of this restoration project, focuses on repairing the stairs and embankment of the northern baray. The work commenced in mid-May 2026 and is scheduled for completion by the end of the same year. Ms. Pin Vicha Sothchara, a technical officer from the Department of Temple Conservation and Archaeology at APSARA, stated that her team is currently undertaking the final stage of the restoration, a 56-meter section of the stairs and embankment of the northern baray. Over time, the structure had suffered damage, with significant silt accumulation obscuring its original form. Many staircases were buried, and some embankment stones had deteriorated due to water absorption, becoming brittle. In some areas, missing stones led to water and soil erosion into the baray. APSARA's expert team is employing a restoration technique that involves dismantling stones layer by layer and relocating them. Crucially, they are applying a "cloth" material, which plays a vital role in retaining soil and preventing erosion. Research into strengthening the structure of the northern baray began in 2019. Before each restoration phase, experts meticulously prepare by conducting site investigations, creating detailed plans, seeking approval from the International Coordinating Committee (ICC-Angkor and Sambor Prei Kuk), and performing structural and damage analyses. This restoration effort is expected not only to preserve Angkor Wat but also to enhance its value as a tourist attraction for the region.