APSARA National Authority is transporting laterite and sandstone to repair the western stairs of Neak Poan Temple

The working group of the APSARA National Authority is busy transporting laterite and sandstone, with each block weighing 500 to 600 kilograms, in preparation for the second phase of restoring the long-damaged western stairs of Neak Poan Temple.
Mr. It Sreng, a technical staff member of the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventative Archaeology of the APSARA National Authority, said that a workforce of more than 12 workers is responsible for transporting the laterite and sandstone to Neak Poan Temple. He added that the primary methods used for stone transportation involve water transport, using two boats tied together to carry the stones from the mainland over a distance of about 400 meters to the site. For each trip, the boats can carry a load of 1 ton or more, floating across the Baray water, and then using a hoist on scaffolding to lift the stones ashore and push them into the required location.
As for the second stage of transportation, the stones are loaded onto carts and pulled by human force. This second stage of stone transportation covers a distance of approximately 300 meters from the pier to the construction site.
Mr. It Sreng stated that transporting these stones is very difficult, requiring patience and unity to accomplish the task, and everyone must have the technical skills to pull or move the stones to the repair site.
The team repairing the western stairs of Neak Poan Temple has utilized a workforce of 12 workers for this stone transportation operation. Each day, the team can transport 8 stone blocks.
This difficult stone transportation began in mid-May 2026. To date, the workforce has transported 50 stone blocks, and it may take more than 2 months to bring in the total amount of stones needed for the repair requirements. The site management staff for the repair of the western stairs of Neak Poan Temple stated that for this difficult stone transportation, we must be patient and united to do this job, and everyone must possess the technical skills to pull or move the stones to the repair site because they are heavy, ranging from hundreds of kilograms to several tons, requiring the application of high techniques to avoid damaging or impacting the stones.

Article: Chhay Phanny
Photos: Sin Prany