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Prime Minister Hun Sen opened Cambodia's third international-standard golf course, the Siem Reap Lake Golf Resort, Monday, Siem Reap Governor Sou Phirin told the Post Monday.

"[Golf] is a modern sport popular with the rich. It attracts rich tourists and keeps them in Cambodia longer," said Sou Phirin.

The 27-hole course, located on 200 hectares of land in Bakorng District, was built by South Korea-based KTC Company, whose investment is said to be US$450 million.

 KTC plans to build a 300-room hotel and a 160 single-room motel that could employ around 4,000 staff.

Siem Reap continues to welcome golf course businesses with the Siem Reap Lake Golf Resort currently the biggest golfing facility in Cambodia.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said Siem Reap's main attraction is the Angkor Wat temple complex but by adding entertainment facilites he hopes Asean heads of state, government officials, rich foreigners and Cambodian businessmen will consider Siem Reap as a relaxing holiday destination.

Sou Phirin said the prime minister has spent the last three days practising his golf at the course and plans to play another couple of sessions over the next two days.

Hun Sen's playing partners are said to include the older brother of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, as well as KTC chief Kim Myung-il, Ouk Rabun, secretary of state at the Finance Ministry, and customs director Pen Siman.