Banteay Meanchey provincial authorities teamed up with youths from the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) and 200 other participants to clean the Banteay Chhmar temple and areas of Poipet town on Saturday and Sunday.

Deputy provincial governor Ros Sophany, who presided over the event, told The Post on Monday that the initiative was aimed at collecting rubbish and beautifying the two areas.

“The actions of these youths set a good example for others in society. We want all youths in the Kingdom to participate in taking care of the environment.

“We need to clean the cities to provide Cambodia with a good environment which can attract national and international tourists like developed countries,” Sophany said.

Women for Society Association (WSA) chief Keo Thithlida told The Post on Monday that the campaign was conducted to set a good example for the next generation. Hopefully, they will learn not to throw rubbish on the street or negatively affect the environment.

Thithlida said: “I call for everyone, especially Cambodians and tourists to protect our national reputation as well as their reputation by disposing of rubbish properly.

“We as the seniors should provide good examples for the next generation. Also, we should be good hosts for national and international tourists who come to visit Banteay Chhmar temple and other cultural tourism temples.”

The WSA and other youth volunteers are planning to request the provincial administration to grow palm trees in some areas in the province.

They also request that a statue of King Jayavarman VII, the 12th-century king of the Khmer Empire, be built at Banteay Chhmar temple, Thithlida said.