Amidst an ocean of green, with jungle spreading to the horizon, a huge gray pyramid of perfect proportions bursts into view. This is Koh Ker, the capital city that King Jayavarman IV built for himself in the 10th century and, government officials hope, one of Cambodia’s next major historical tourism sites.
The site is barely accessible, so the Ministry of Culture brought in a delegation of about 60 government officials and diplomats by helicopter Tuesday to explore Koh Ker as a kickoff to developing the site.
People from nearby villages welcomed the visitors, who included Minister of Cabinet Sok An, Minister of Culture Princess Bopha Devi and Minister of Environment Mok Mareth, along with tourism and culture officials.
They traipsed along the muddy jungle trail leading to Prasat Thom, or big temple, but only half climbed to the top on steep ladders made of tree trunks. The steps of the seven-level, 35-meter high pyramid have collapsed or been destroyed by vegetation and the elements.
Access to Koh Ker, 80 km from Siem Reap town, is one of the biggest hurdles. Prince Sisowath Sirivudh Panara, secretary of state for culture, had to turn back when he tried to go by truck. It took him 14 hours to get back to Siem Reap. The Kham Someth Construction Ltd, plans to invest about $10 million on a road to Koh Ker from Siem Reap town.
The 68 monuments were lost to the jungle after King Jayavarman IV’s death in 942. No effort was made to restore them before the war, and in the 1980s and 1990s, the region became a battleground for Khmer Rouge and government troops. The area is still heavily mined. France will help Cambodia demine the area, French Ambassador Andre-Jean Libourel said.
The road and demining are part of a masterplan being drawn up by the Council for Development of Cambodia, Sieng Nam, the parliamentarian for Siem Reap province, said recently. For villagers in the region this project means everything. “We’re putting all our hopes in it,” said Pen Cheat, chief of a nearby village.
