The Apsara National Authority (ANA) on Wednesday again warned it will take legal action against individuals illegally selling land in Siem Reap province’s Angkor Archaeological Park. ANA
The Apsara National Authority (ANA) on Wednesday again warned it will take legal action against individuals illegally selling land in Siem Reap province’s Angkor Archaeological Park.
The ANA said some of the land being advertised for sale is located within the protected zones of the park.
ANA spokesman Long Kosal told The Post on Thursday that the sales continued despite ANA’s repeated warnings.
“Some people and merchants are still selling and buying land in these areas. In the past, we sued these individuals,” he said.
The ANA is concerned that people from other provinces are buying land in Siem Reap to build structures or sell it for profit. This won’t work, Kosal said, because building constructions in the Angkor Archaeological Park is prohibited.
“I call on citizens, especially those who live in other provinces not to be deceived by merchants who sell land in the Angkor Archaeological Park.
“You have to ask about the specific source of the land and find out whether it is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor. Do not buy the land if it is in this area,” he stressed.
An ANA Facebook post on Wednesday said: “Individuals who sell land in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor can face legal measures if they do not stop.”
The ANA called on the owner of a Facebook account named ChochChoub and other land sellers in areas of the Angkor Archaeological Park to stop their actions or face legal repercussions.
It also warned the public not to seek profit by buying land in these areas. If they have doubts regarding land management in the Angkor Archaeological Park, they are urged to contact the ANA by phone at 092 89 99 66.
There are two zones of protected land in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Zone 1 consists of important archaeological stations, while the Zone 2 contains archaeological remains, said the ANA.
It said buying and selling land in these areas is forbidden by Royal Decree No 001, dated May 28, 1994. It is also prohibited in Decision No 70, dated November 16, 2004, which set the standards for land use in Zone 1 and Zone 2 of Angkor.
Siem Reap provincial Adhoc investigator Sous Narin said buying and selling land in these areas was performed without permission from the authorities.
“We consider buying and selling land in the Angkor Archaeological Park an illegal activity. Civil society does not support such activities. If people still do so, the authorities will take legal measures for sure,” he said.
