Posted 29 May 2009

Visitors to Cambodia’s sprawling temple complex Angkor Wat have raised concerns that new plans to conduct night tours to the area is damaging its structures.

After witnessing chunks of stonework being dislodged and drilled so authorities can fit the historical structures with light bulbs, people visiting the site have said that plans to conduct night tours could be harmful to Angkor Wat’s buildings.

However, this has been denied by Bun Narith, head of Apsara, the firm which manages the temples.

He said that illuminating the buildings will serve to allow people to stay for longer, see more of the complex and decrease crowding during the day.

Mr Narith explained: "We want tourists to see all views of the temple, even in the dark places where they may have not have seen some of the sculptures and statues" and added that the company is meeting with UNESCO next week to discuss the matter further.

According to UNESCO, the Angkor Archeological Park is "one of the most important sites" in south-east Asia and it has set up a programme to guard the monumental complex from damage.

Category: Asia