More than 700 families took part in a draw for plots of land at the Run Ta Ek eco-village at Siem Reap Provincial Hall on August 25, years after living “illegally” in the Angkor Archaeological Park.

The families agreed to relocate from the Taksin Tbong and Trapaing Ses villages in the protected area to allow for the planting of trees, said Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Chea Sophara.

The 727 families – 234 from Taksin Tbong and 493 from Trapaing Ses – expressed great joy when taking part in the draw, according to the minister.

"They have agreed to relocate and accept all the conditions for resettlement in the Run Ta Ek eco-village,” he said, adding that some parts of the vacated land had already been planted with saplings, including beng (Afzelia xylocarpa) and thnong (Pterocarpus macrocarpus) species, to benefit the environment in the park.

Speaking after the draw on August 25, Hoeun Sina, a former Trapaing Ses resident, expressed her gratitude for the land exchange and requested that the Run Ta Ek eco-village be developed.

"We wish to thank Prime Minister Hun Sen and all the leaders who exchanged land for our people. We would like to ask Samdech [Hun Sen] for the area to be developed with infrastructure such as schools, health centres, water supply and roads," she said.

Hai Yong, a representative of the Angkor Area Survey Team, said there would be "development in all areas".

"The authorities will ask the working group to inspect the plots of land for four to five days after the draw while the land is cleared and the titles are prepared.

"The area is located in Banteay Srei district's Run Ta Ek commune, with there to be development in all areas, such as schools, hospitals, pagodas and roads," he said.