MUNICIPAL officials have said that City Hall plans to create a new park near the Phnom Penh International Airport to increase green spaces in the capital.

Governor Kep Chuktema told the Post that he is on a mission to beautify Phnom Penh in order to make it a better place to live and to visit.

"We are currently preparing the land to make a beautiful park. However, it is airport land, so we must discuss our plan with the airport first."

The governor added that, if possible, construction on the park would start early next year. He said he does not know how much land or money would be needed for the project.

"The airport is happy about the idea and wants to contribute money to the project," he added.

So Samoth of the Municipal Public Works Department confirmed that the city is planning to build a park at the airport. "We are currently doing the groundwork for the project," he said.

Khem Sophorn, an undersecretary at the Secretariat for Civil Aviation (SCA), said that aviation officials have had three or four meetings with City Hall officials about plans for the park, but added: "While having a park near the airport is a very attractive idea, airport security and runway expansion is our priority."

A source from Societe Concessionnaire de l'Aeroport said that he was not aware of any plans to create a park near the airport.