SIEM REAP: Sand leakage has been found seeping into the walls of the Bayon Temple’s third terrace, posing risk to the ancient structure. The APSARA National Authority restoration team is now studying ways to prevent sand leaks and strengthen the endangered structure.

Meng Sovanlylin, an architect in the technical team, said that at the end of 2021, the team had already cleared the drainage system around the terrace, but a year later sand still seeped through the wall of the third terrace of the Bayon temple, which necessitated reinforcement of the southwest corner platform. She highlighted some possible causes of the leaks like tree roots growing into the structure, water flowing into holes in the stone and poor quality cement mortar laid by French conservationists.

The restoration began in late 2022, with the removal and replacement of eroded stones along with sampling of the inner soil to analyze which shallow soils need to be strengthened.

Over the months, the restoration team has been removing the Naga balustrade stones, floor stones, and partially cracked stones to check the condition of the sandstone walls by relocating and re-arranging the stones and filling the mortar between them.

The Bayon Temple is one of the most renowned structures at the Angkor Archaeological Park and was built during the late 12th or 13th century under Jayavarman VII. It is most known for its many smiling stone faces, thought by many to be the face of the monarch himself.