Siem Reap: A 100-year-old building situated northwest of the Bayon Temple in Siem Reap provincial city has undergone a renovation conducted by the APSARA National Authority.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, this initiative, aiming to restore the building's historical significance, is part of a broader plan to utilize the structure for tourism services and research activities focused on the conservation of Angkor, as stated by the APSARA National Authority in a news release on Sunday.
H.E. Mr. Long Kosal, Deputy Director General of the APSARA National Authority, explained that the building originally served as a warehouse for the first conservation center established during the French colonial period. It was a workshop dedicated to the restoration of ancient temples within the Angkor complex. Due to its limited size and potential negative impact on the temple, conservation efforts were relocated to a larger facility in Traeng village, Sangkat Slakram, Siem Reap city, in front of the Preah En-kosei pagoda, which continues to operate today.
Mr. Long Kosal emphasized that refunctioning this historic building will provide future generations of Cambodians and visitors with insights into the history and methodologies of Angkor restoration. The building will showcase the tools and techniques used in past conservation efforts.
Additionally, it will serve as a designated area for lost and found items that tourists may leave behind at the temple.