Cambodia Assesses Restoration of Historic Spean Toap After 2025 Bomb Damage
Cambodia Assesses Restoration of Historic Spean Toap After 2025 Bomb Damage
ODDAR MEANCHEY, Sept. 12, 2026 — Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is assessing the possibility of resuming restoration work on the historic Spean Toap, also known as Spean O’ Chik, after the ancient bridge sustained serious structural damage during fighting along the Cambodia-Thailand border in December 2025.
On Saturday afternoon, Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, led a ministry delegation to inspect the overall condition of the ancient bridge in Cheung Tien village, Cheung Tien commune, Chong Kal district, Oddar Meanchey province.
The ministry said the inspection was part of efforts to assess the bridge’s current condition and consider options for continuing restoration work.
According to the ministry, Spean Toap is an important ancient bridge built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. It crosses the Srang River along an ancient route connecting Angkor with Vimayapura, corresponding to present-day Phimai in Thailand.
The bridge is approximately 150 metres long, 10 metres high and 16.4 metres wide, with 28 openings.
The ministry said the monument was severely affected by bombing during the border conflict in December 2025. According to the Cambodian account, Thai F-16 aircraft dropped MK-82 bombs on two locations at the northern and southern ends of the bridge on December 15, 2025, causing serious damage to parts of the bridge structure and 68 sections of its balustrades.
The ministry had previously carried out eight phases of restoration work on Spean Toap since 2015. However, the restoration programme was interrupted following the damage sustained during the conflict late last year.
The ministry said the bridge has subsequently deteriorated further at several critical locations, with damage attributed to both water flow and the effects of the bombing.
Following Saturday’s inspection, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is now examining the feasibility of restarting restoration work to preserve the ancient structure.
The inspection highlights Cambodia’s broader effort to protect and restore cultural heritage sites affected by the 2025 border conflict.
During the same visit, Minister Phoeurng Sackona also inspected Prasat Pram Kil, an ancient site believed to have served as a former hospital, which local authorities are developing as a tourism destination in Oddar Meanchey.
The government’s restoration plans for Spean Toap are aimed at preserving the historic bridge and ensuring that the centuries-old monument can continue to serve as an important cultural and historical asset for future generations.
