Phnom Penh, 18 July 2024: Prime Minister Hun Manet announced this morning that he would participate in the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon 2024 in Siem Reap province later this year.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Samdech Preah Brahma Rattanamony Pin Sem Museum at Raja Bo pagoda in Siem Reap city, the Prime Minister mentioned his plans to join the event at the end of this year and encouraged his cabinet members to participate as well.

“I will join a 5-kilometer race,” he said, recalling his previous participation in a running event in Phnom Penh.

The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon, organized since 1996, generally takes place in December at the Angkor Archaeological Park in northern Cambodia. This area is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, stretching over approximately 400 square kilometers, including forested areas. It contains the magnificent remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th century CE, including the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom with its countless sculptural decorations.

Approximately 10,000 runners from around the world are expected to join the competition scheduled for December 1 this year.

“This is one of the activities aimed at attracting international tourists to visit the cultural province of Siem Reap,” emphasized the Cambodian Premier.