Siem Reap provincial governor Khim Bun Song has announced that all city roads damaged in the October floods must be repaired in time for the Khmer New Year in April as part of a campaign to promote the beauty of Siem Reap.

“Every road that was damaged by the flood must be fixed before Khmer New Year,” he told Insider. “ At the same time we have to set up a campaign for cleaning the unclean roads and areas. We hope that our city will become a good example of a city that has a clean environment and good infrastructure.”

He commented on the unhealthy dust problem, noting that it was exacerbated by some private companies transporting dusty soil by truck, and an emergency solution is required.

He also affirmed a plan to place lights on posts along every road in the city to avoid any incidents happening to residents and tourists. Some roads have already installed public lighting, but the lack of security in unlit areas needs urgent intervention.

“I am worried that something could happen to tourists and local residents while they walk or drive on those roads at night,” he said. “We have to ensure that all the roads have lights, even the narrow and small ones.”

He also discussed government buildings and public areas such as the Old Stadium, which has been moved from Siem Reap city to Bakong district.

He said he regretted this relocation because it would be beneficial if such facilities were in the tourism hub – the locations of some places were moved before he became the provincial governor.

He said he would be glad if the old stadium was still in the city because, “it could be a part of the city’s beauty and a suitable venue for big concerts and events. It would surely attract lots of local and international visitors.”

He noted that many people are now exercising in the mornings and evenings in the Royal Independent Gardens and some parts of the river bank, but the there is no suitable large area for them to do their activities together.

“We, the authority, will try our best to find the suitable place for them” he said, noting that some parts of the river banks had already become beautiful communal gardens, and that he will find out which parts of the river bank may be large enough to accommodate large exercise groups.