Restoration work on the western section of the wall at Tonle Om Gate has reached 80% completion as of October 2026.
Mao Sokny, head of the restoration project, said work to reinforce the wall and staircase on the western side of Tonle Om Gate was progressing smoothly, with the main wall restoration already completed.
The team from the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology is now backfilling and compacting the soil, applying mortar between the stones and levelling the ground in the upper section. The project is expected to be completed soon.
According to Sokny, reinforcement of the 15-metre-long wall has been completed. The team is now backfilling the surrounding area with soil and applying mortar between the stones to improve the wall’s structural stability.
Meanwhile, the internal staircase, comprising 23 steps, has been reassembled and connected to the wall. The work is intended not only to strengthen the structure but also to enhance the gate’s appearance and heritage value.
Sokny noted that Tonle Om Gate is a popular tourist attraction, with many visitors stopping to take photographs, admire the statues depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk and walk along the wall to enjoy the surrounding views.
Regarding the restoration techniques, Sokny said the project follows traditional construction methods while incorporating modern techniques to improve long-term durability.
The work began with strengthening the foundations by compacting the original soil layers, followed by structural adjustments to improve the stability of the walls. For the internal staircase, the team restored and extended the existing steps while reinforcing the adjacent walls with compacted clay and a lime-mortar base.
Sokny expressed confidence that the completed project would improve the appearance of Angkor Thom’s ancient walls while ensuring their structural stability and preservation for future generations.
He also expressed hope that conservation work would continue on other sections of Angkor Thom’s gates, noting that all five gates face conservation challenges and require ongoing maintenance and protection.
