Not to mention the Khmer Rouge attack of the CO compound to forcibly remove numerous pieces of valuable Khmer sculpture. Three raids in a two years period (1992-1993) occurred when the town of Siemreap was a sitting target of a renegade Khmer Rouge faction.
Despite these problems, the ACO depot is still full of some of the most outstanding sculptures not only from the Angkor site but also from other ancient temples around the country.
For security reasons, it is off-limits to the general public but a visit of this fascinating place can still be organised by a well introduced guide.

The Battambang Provincial Museum

This province was one of the richest one during the Khmer empire and it is still the case now.
Recent road repairs have improved access by land to Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city. Sited on the banks of the Sangker River, Battambang region is filled with old wats and with French colonial architecture as well as with beautiful residential areas where tall trees shade traditional wooden houses.

I would like to suggest to combine a visit to the very nice pieces of art which are on display in this Museum with some of the important Khmer temples sites located near Battambang, off the beaten track. For the adventurers I will also propose to reach the city by fishing boat from the Tonle Sap and the Sangker River if the level of the water allows it (see Chapter “Nature and Population”).
Phimaï National Museum (Thaïland)
www.thailandmuseum.com/thaimuseum_eng/phimai/main.htm

The region of North Eastern Thailand (and even more of today Thailand) belonged during many centuries to the Khmer empire. (see chapter “Maps”)
The Museum is the centre of Khmer cultural heritage and the interesting art objects belong to Dvaravati and Khmer art styles.
One of the master pieces of the Museum collection is the stone statue of King Jayavarman VII which was found in Prasat Phimaï.