siem reap province – The RCAF military commander of Region 4 is building a karaoke resort on the shore of the Western Baray, despite laws that require him to first receive permission to do so.
Two sets of regulations ban any building without permission within Angkor Park, the area north of Siem Reap containing Cambodia’s most important cultural and religious monuments.
General Chea Morn says he knows the land belongs to the government, but he figured it is such a small place that there was no need to ask for permission.
“It doesn’t affect the environment or the baray,’’ he said. “We have a generator, but we will only run it sometimes. It is a very small place, in the jungle, a long way from town, and if I earn money it is a very small amount.’’
He says he doesn’t know why anyone should care about such an insignificant establishment, but says, “if the government needs it, I will give it back.’’
In fact, the nearly completed resort is substantial, and appears to be the only permanent structure anywhere on the Western Baray, an ancient reservoir west of Angkor Thom that is an integral part of Cambodia’s cultural heritage.
A flight of more than 30 stone steps leads from the top of the dike enclosing the baray down to the shoreline, where soldiers have built several stone-and-cement terraces overlooking the water.
So far, two large wood-frame buildings have been erected above the terraces, one of which is equipped with a high-decibel karaoke system. Last Thursday, amplified music could be heard at least 400 meters away.
Atop the baray, several other permanent buildings have been erected. One houses a generator; a second shelters a large pile of building materials.
A third area, set aside for parking, consisted of a wooden frame, covered by plastic tarps, which on Thursday provided shade for a half-dozen late model 4-wheel-drive vehicles.
A dozen or so men and women strolled around the terraces, taking in the scene. Some of the men wore military uniforms and a number of the women wore elaborate clothing and makeup.
The establishment strikes a jarring note in an otherwise pastoral scene, in part because someone has highlighted much of the stonework with electric blue paint. Chea Morn says the resort was built by his soldiers, 220 of whom live nearby.
He says he ordered it built so his soldiers and visiting military delegations would have a nice place to relax.
The law, however, states there can be nothing built without explicit permission from authorities.
One set of rules was drawn up under the aegis of Unesco’s International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor. In exchange for money and help in protecting the temples of Angkor, the Cambodian government agreed to limit development in the surrounding areas.
The second is included in a decree, signed by King Norodom Sihanouk in 1994, setting up strict zoning rules governing the Angkor area. The rules say nothing can be built within the protected zone without the permission of the Apsara Authority.
But Chea Morn is a very powerful man in Siem Reap, and provincial officials said last week they have been discussing among themselves how best to tell him that he is breaking the law.
Unesco officials could not be reached for comment Sunday. Apsara officials said only that the unauthorized karaoke resort is one of a number of topics to be discussed Tuesday at the authority’s regular Board of Administration meeting.
Chea Morn said he did not bother to seek permission because soldiers have been stationed adjacent to the Western Baray since 1980, and the men need a place for rest and recreation.
He said the public is welcome to visit the site, walk around the terraces and enjoy the matchless view of the tranquil baray. But, he said, the karaoke facilities will be reserved for military personnel and their guests.
Chea Morn said rumors that he plans to open a brothel at the site are untrue.
“Why should I build a brothel there? There are plenty in Siem Reap,’’ he said. “Why build one in the jungle?’’
He did not explain why it was necessary to build a karaoke resort in the jungle, given that there are also a number of those in Siem Reap.
Chea Morn said the building materials stacked atop the dike were to be used to build pens and coops for chickens and ducks, which the soldiers stationed nearby need to raise for food.
The resort is near the southwestern corner of the baray, not far from a collection of grass shacks along a strip of beach popular with Khmer tourists. Vendors at the beach say they hope the karaoke resort will attract more visitors to the often deserted area.
“Maybe we can go sing there, too,’’ said one wistfully.
