Phnom Penh
Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia expressed gratitude as approximately 9,900 families residing in unauthorized structures within Cambodia’s Angkor Archeological Park willingly opted for resettlement in designated areas. The 401-square-kilometer Angkor park, home to 91 ancient temples dating from the 9th to the 13th centuries, is a major tourist attraction, drawing millions of international visitors to Cambodia, particularly to Siem Reap province. In a speech during his visit to the relocated households, Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged the residents’ voluntary decision to move out of the Angkor Archeological Park, emphasizing the importance of preserving the world heritage site of their ancestors. The relocated sites, spanning 2,456 hectares, are located in the Run Ta Ek area in Banteay Srei district and the Pak Sneng area in Angkor Thom district, situated outside the ancient park boundaries. The Cambodian government initiated the relocation to address concerns raised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), warning that the Angkor park risked removal from its World Heritage List due to the proliferation of illegal structures, violating UNESCO’s stipulated terms and conditions. As part of the resettlement initiative, each family received a plot of land measuring 20 meters wide by 30 meters long, along with an ID card for the economically disadvantaged. The ID card grants access to monthly cash assistance and free healthcare for a decade. While the exact number of families still residing illegally in the Angkor area remains unknown, the efforts align with UNESCO’s recognition of Angkor as a World Heritage Site since 1992. The park, attracting approximately 700,000 foreign visitors in the first 11 months of 2023, witnessed a substantial increase of 211 percent compared to the same period last year. Angkor Enterprise reported a revenue of 32.5 million US dollars from ticket sales during the January-November period, marking a significant year-on-year increase of 261 percent.
