AKP Phnom Penh, May 08, 2025 --

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is collaborating with relevant institutions to prepare the necessary documentation for the inclusion of Phnom Da and Angkor Borei as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

An inter-ministerial meeting involving 11 ministries and institutions was held in Phnom Penh yesterday afternoon under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts. H.E. Vey Samnang, Governor of Takeo province, was also in attendance.

Phnom Da and Angkor Borei are located in Angkor Borei district, Takeo province. According to UNESCO, Phnom Da is the name of the mount to the south of the town of Angkor Borei. Currently, two temples still remain standing on this mount and several caves that have been found around its base. The principal temple, now known as Phnom Da temple, was built in the 11th century on foundations remaining from the Funan period. From an art history perspective, Phnom Da was identified by art historian as the first Khmer art history style, defined as Phnom Da style

Angkor Borei is one of the important archaeological sites in Cambodia. It was the capital of Funan and the early Khmer capital that developed and became a quasi-model for the later period city development that include the current World Heritage sites of Sambor Prei Kuk (Ishanapura) and Angkor (Yasodharapura). Angkor Borei is approximately 300 hectares in size with many brick structures.

Cambodia currently has four World Heritage Sites: the Angkor Archaeological Park, the Temple of Preah Vihear, the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site, and the Koh Ker Temple complex.

The Royal Government has also been working on the documentation of three other sites related to the Khmer Rouge regime for the UNESCO recognition: the Former M-13 Prison, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek are located in Phnom Penh while M-13 is situated in Kampong Chhnang province, bordering Kampong Speu province.

Phnom Da

Angkor Borei

By C. Nika