PHNOM PENH, Cambodia– Restoration work on the northeast corner of Angkor Wat’s Bakan Tower is making significant progress, according to a statement released Friday by Cambodia’s APSARA National Authority (ANA).
The project, a joint effort between the ANA and the Korean Heritage Agency, began in February 2025 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
Khem Mony, a technical officer with ANA, noted that prior to the restoration, the platform and stairs at the northeast corner of the Bakan Tower were severely cracked and structurally at risk.
“Our restoration team is carefully moving stones and reinforcing them layer by layer,” Mony said, adding that the work is being carried out in accordance with recommendations from experts with the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor and the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site (ICC-Angkor/Sambor Prei Kuk).
For safety reasons, certain areas of the Bakan Tower have been temporarily closed to visitors during the restoration process. However, the site remains open to the public, with limited access and protective measures in place.
“To ensure visitor safety, barriers have been erected around work zones, and clear signage has been installed to inform tourists about ongoing repairs and any changes to access routes,” the ANA said.
Angkor Wat, a world-renowned temple built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, is part of the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province. Spanning 401 square kilometers, the park is home to 91 ancient temples constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries.
The park continues to be Cambodia’s most visited tourist destination. Between January and May 2025, it welcomed 527,577 international visitors and generated $24.5 million in ticket revenue, according to Angkor Enterprise, the state-owned agency overseeing ticket sales.
The top five international markets for Angkor Wat during this period were the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and South Korea. (Source: IANS)
