The Apsara National Authority (ANA) and the Siem Reap provincial administration removed a structure belonging to Khun Sokhorn on Tuesday because they said it encroached on the Trapaing He Phka archaeological site in Siem Reap town’s Chreav commune.

Sokhorn claimed the land was passed down by his ancestors.

ANA spokesman Long Kosal said on Wednesday that Sokhorn’s construction included a fence, a toilet, a palapa structure and some fruit trees. Kosal said these structures were illegal because they were built at the historical site.

Kosal said the ANA had to remove Sokhorn’s structures once before, in November 2019, but he re-built them.

“We are sticking to our stance. The ANA is against all activities related to encroaching on archaeological sites that are State property. We must protect them. Khun Sokhorn committed the act twice already and it badly affected our national heritage,” he said.

Siem Reap administration representative Hai Yung took part in removing the construction and said the ANA plans to develop Trapaing He Phka soon to enhance its value.

“Through the plan, the Trapaing He Phka pond will be renovated to create a water source for villagers. Town authorities received permission from the ANA to complete this project.

Trapaing He Phka site is 350m by 170m and includes a dam measuring about 40m to 60m. The pond existed since the Angkor era. People lived at the site as it contains ancient pottery pieces scattered there.

“There is a brick temple called He Phka temple at the southern end of the pond. He said it was a very sacred place for people who lived there.

“Individuals have to be responsible under the law for any destruction that affected cultural property,” he said.

Sokhorn maintained that the land was passed down by his ancestors. In 2016, the ANA claimed that it was located in Angkor Archaeological Park and required that he transfer it back to the ANA.

In 2019, he agreed to give the land back and remove constructions by himself by September 9. But he said the ANA used tractors to destroy his palapa, toilet and fruit trees before the set date.

“I said I would remove the fruit trees by myself, but the authorities destroyed them. It is very unjust. I call on the ANA to enforce the law transparently because there are 100 more families in the area.

“They have to enforce the law on them as they did to me. Why did they only enforce the law on me, but not on others? The ANA must practise the law transparently,” he said.