The Apsara Authority has ordered the owners of three restaurants near the Angkor Wat complex’s Srah Srang royal bathing pond to remove cabanas erected close to the water’s edge by June 30.

Authority spokesman Long Kosal said the decision was taken in order to preserve the pond’s infrastructure and minimise litter around the pond, which sits close to Banteay Kdei temple.

The owner of pondside restaurant Ktom Sre, Man Channa, yesterday called on the authority to give restaurateurs more time.

“I have seven little cabanas for customers to eat their meal near the pond,” he said. “I know we did wrong but we would like more time to settle things.”