Angkor Thom City Wall Restoration Nearing Completion by End of 2026

The National Authority for Apsara (ANA) plans to complete the restoration of a 15-meter section of the Angkor Thom city wall by the end of 2026. The project, which began in early April 2026, employs ancient techniques to reinforce the wall and its adjacent stairs, which had been at risk of collapse due to age and natural factors. Mao Sokhny, a technical officer from ANA's Department of Conservation of Monuments and Archaeology, reported that the project is over 45% complete after approximately two and a half months of work. This includes strengthening the foundation and rebuilding 6 meters of the wall, as well as reconstructing about 15 meters of the stairs. Remaining tasks involve repairing nearly 10 meters of the western wall section and about three upper courses, which will be carved to match the original patterns, manage earth pressure, and include drainage. The stairs will be backfilled with earth to support the walls against tilting. Sokhny explained that the restoration follows ancient methods, carefully dismantling stones layer by layer and reinforcing both the interior and exterior. The wall's interior, made of sandstone, will be backfilled with approximately 15 meters of earth, while the exterior is constructed with laterite stones. The 15-meter section of the city wall on the southwest side of the Tonle Om gate had suffered extensive damage over time from aging stones and natural elements, leading to wall separation and falling debris. The western gate structure also sustained significant damage, including tilting and loss of its roof, with only minor stone elements like deity figures and foundation stones remaining. The stairs were affected by water erosion, causing internal walls to crack, distorting their original form, and leading to the displacement of some sandstone blocks.