PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has stated that he will not allow Angkor to be removed from the World Heritage List.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for students of Vanda Institute on Monday morning, 3 October, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that at this time, the government is using gentle methods to ask people to leave the Angkor area, however, in the future, if any citizens refuse to leave, the government will implement administrative measures where compensation for relocation will not be available.

Currently, more than 6,000 families have been compensated by the government for relocating from the Angkor area to Run Ta Ek Natural Village in Siem Reap's Banteay Srei district.

This relocation to Run Ta Ek village is due to UNESCO saying that the buildings in the Angkor area have affected the historical site and must be demolished. If this problem persists, Angkor will be removed from the World Heritage Site list.

^{PHOTO: Yuthkun}