The ‘123-year-old’ stupa at Botum Vatey pagoda in Phnom Penh, seen on January 3. Heng Chivoan
Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts on January 2 halted the destruction of an ancient stupa at Wat Botum Vatey in central Phnom Penh.
Ouk Sokha, director-general of the ministry’s General Department of Heritage, told The Post that the stupa was 123 years old and featured luxurious carvings.
“Demolition began on January 1, but had not been completed. It will be possible to restore the structure, but we are very disappointed that this had happened. Legal measures will be taken to deter such an illegal activity in future,” he said.
He added that officials had met with the chief abbot of the pagoda, who explained that he had merely expressed a desire to create bricks and tiles. But his meaning was misunderstood by several monks and a team of contractors, who began to dismantle the stupa.
“Regardless of the explanation, we cannot ignore the destruction of this piece of religious heritage, and have referred the case for further legal action.
“The government – as well as the Sangha Council – has called publicly for the preservation of all historic buildings,” he said.
Venerable Khim Sorn, chief monk of Phnom Penh, issued a statement expressing regrets that this happened in the pagoda where he resides. He stressed that neither he, the Sangha Council nor Wat Botum Vatey had any intention of dismantling the stupa.
On the day the demolition began, Venerable Sorn said he was in Kampong Speu province, adding that he rushed back late on January 1 upon hearing the news.
“I am personally very sad and embarrassed by this case. I have long championed the protection of heritage buildings in pagodas across the Kingdom, and suddenly, this is happening in my pagoda,” he said.
“It is fortunate that I returned in time. Further attacks on the stupa are now forbidden. I will cooperate with specialists from the ministry to carry out renovations,” he added.
Preap Chanmara, associate dean of the Faculty of Archeology at the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA), claimed that the stupa was built by Ouknha Anoukrak Theanin and Ouknha Reachea Nupheap Duch in 1900.
He said it was decorated with fine ceramic carvings and was still beautiful and structurally sound despite its exposure to countless wars and storms.
“It should be preserved as an example of one of the rare building styles left to us by our ancestors. We must respect the merits of our ancestors and honour them by protecting their legacy, wherever we find examples,” he said in a social media post on January 1.
The recent destruction of several historic buildings at Wat Ounalom – in order to build a stupa – attracted widespread public criticism and drew the ire of the culture ministry.
