Angkor Thom City Wall Restoration Project to Conclude by End of 2026

The Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Greater Siem Reap Region (APSARA) has announced that the restoration of a 15-meter section of the southern western wall of Angkor Thom is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. This project aims to enhance the durability of the wall, which has suffered damage from years of weathering and natural factors. Expert teams have spent six months reinforcing the foundation, rebuilding the wall, and repairing the internal stairs of the laterite structure near the iconic "Tônlé Om" gate in the southwestern section. Work on this restoration project, which began in early April 2026, is approximately 45% complete. Specifically, foundation reinforcement, reconstruction of a 6-meter wall section, and repair of about 15 meters of stairs have progressed. Remaining tasks include restoring decorative carvings on nearly 10 meters of the western wall section and approximately three upper layers, filling the upper sections with soil, and developing drainage systems. Soil will be used to fill the stair sections to support the wall and prevent further tilting. Mao Sokhny, a technical officer at APSARA, explained that the restoration follows ancient techniques, with stones carefully dismantled and rebuilt from top to bottom, with reinforcement applied both internally and externally. The inner part of the wall is constructed with sandstone, and the outer part with laterite, with about 15 meters of soil to be filled inside. The wall has been damaged for many years due to the aging of materials and natural phenomena, resulting in cracks and falling stones. The western wing of the gate also shows significant damage, including tilting, roof damage, and the loss of small stone figures and gate bases. The stairs have also been affected by water erosion, causing the inner walls to crack and lose their original form, with some sandstone pieces falling off. The preservation of the Angkor complex is one of Cambodia's most critical cultural heritage protection priorities and is vital as an international tourism resource. This wall restoration is a significant step towards safeguarding these invaluable heritage sites for future generations. Source: CPP Cambodia