The Siem Reap River, an artificial waterway flowing through the heart of Siem Reap town, is set for redevelopment into a recreational area aimed at attracting both domestic and international tourists.

Ung Kim Leang, deputy provincial governor, announced that in 2025, the provincial administration will undertake a major restoration of the river.

The redevelopment, funded through a loan from the South Korean government, is expected to mitigate flooding while enhancing the river’s appeal as a tourist destination.

The provincial administration has plans to renovate the river and transform it into a major tourist attraction. Hong Raksmey

“Currently, Siem Reap International Airport handles 25 flights per day, with an average of 3,500 tourists arriving daily in late 2024 and early 2025,” Leang said.

However, he acknowledged that despite the increase in visitors, the numbers have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.

As part of efforts to boost tourism, the provincial administration plans to transform the 7-kilometre-long Siem Reap River into a prime attraction.

“With an investment of approximately 10 million dollars, every kilometre of the river will be developed into a unique tourist experience,” explained Leang.

“If the project is successful, it will draw more domestic and international visitors to the province,” he added.

The river also plays a vital role in mitigating flooding in Siem Reap town. Hong Raksmey

The river has already undergone two phases of improvement, with the second phase beginning in May 2022 and concluding until mid-2024, also with support from South Korea.

This phase covered nearly 5,000 metres, from the Ring Road Bridge (Kong Moch Bridge) to the end of Aranya village, in Siem Reap subdistrict.

The work included riverbank restoration, the construction of three new stone bridges, concrete roads on both sides of the river, an irrigation system and a spillway to enhance flood protection.

The redevelopment was designed not only to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the historic Siem Reap River but also to serve as a crucial flood prevention measure.

A 2005 study titled Is the Siem Reap River a River?, conducted by researchers Matti Kummu of Aalto University and Terry Lustig, an independent scholar, sheds light on the river’s origins.

A tourist wanders across a bridge spanning the Siem Reap River. Hong Raksmey

According to the researchers, the river was initially an artificial channel, constructed as an offshoot of the Puok River during the Angkor period to support an extensive water management system.

“Over time, it evolved into a river-like system with its own ecosystem and small meanders,” the researchers noted. 

While it lacks a natural floodplain like traditional rivers, it plays a significant role in the region’s hydrology, directing water from Phnom Kulen to Tonle Sap Lake.

Despite its artificial origins, the river has become an integral part of the local environment and is now recognised as a river rather than just a man-made channel.