SIEM REAP: Experts from the APSARA National Authority's Department of Monument Conservation and Preventive Archaeology have begun the process of restoring the Ta Ong Bridge, which is an ancient bridge built during the Angkorian period. The restoration period is expected to last from April to August 2022, using funds from the APSARA Authority itself.

The main objectives of the restoration are to rehabilitate the ancient bridge's foundation to strengthen its structure as well as to facilitate the flow of water to prevent flooding. Such restoration will allow for the smooth travel of people in the future, and will also attract more tourists to visit the site.

The official in charge of restoring this bridge, Puth Soth, said that on the south side of the Ta Ong bridge (located in Chong Spean village, Khvav commune, Chi Kreng district, Siem Reap province), there is a lot of deterioration, such as falling stones in two spots and a cracked bridge wall. He further stated that the restoration process his team is engaged in involves making a list of stone registration plans, restoring the stones, strengthening bridge pillars that have collapsed, and restoring the cracked wall on the east side. The Naga balustrade, at a total length of 70 meters, will also be restored during this process.

Soth added that the main factors causing the deterioration of the Ta Ong bridge were age, natural factors, and pressure from the weight of people walking over it. The bridge was built in the Angkorian period from laterite and is decorated with a sandstone carving of a meditating Buddha sitting at the center of a nine-headed Naga in the Bayon style.

In 2020, experts from the APSARA National Authority conducted the first phase of the Ta Ong Bridge restoration on the north side of the bridge, which included the restoration of the Naga balustrade, the reinforcement of 11 pillar walls, and the excavation of the waterway flowing through.