APSARA Authority vigorously defends against accusations

Following claims of financial impropriety, the APSARA Authority denies any wrongdoing.

Angkor Park Authority Hits Back at CNRP Lawmaker
Cambodia Daily, 26 December 2014

Angkor Wat Authority Defends Reported Ticket Revenues
Radio Free Asia, 29 December 2014

The Apsara Authority on Thursday slammed opposition lawmaker Son Chhay’s claims it has been embezzling money from ticket sales for the Angkor Archaeological Park, accusing him of trying to take “revenge” over a lawsuit he lost.

Mr. Chhay and ruling party lawmaker Cheam Yeap met with Apsara Authority director-general Bun Narith on Monday, after which Mr. Chhay alleged that the authority is massively underreporting and misrepresenting ticket sales.

According to Mr. Chhay, Mr. Narith told him during the meeting that a total of about 2 million tourists would buy a ticket for entry to the temple complex this year “out of about 5 million tourists coming to Cambodia.”

The lawmaker rejected the idea that only 40 percent of tourists visit the Angkor park and also derided claims that 67 percent of those tourists buy the cheaper one-day ticket.

Full story here and here.