ANM update

The Gallery of 1,000 Buddhas at Angkor National Museum

I'm just back after a 3 and a half hour visit to the Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap. It took so long as I'm one of those museum-buffs who love to drool over every exhibit and in this instance I was also giving my feedback to the sales team at the museum including the managing director Sunarez, who is very open to constructive criticism and is looking to do whatever she can to make the museum and its collection a success. The museum has certainly improved its collection of exhibits and signage since my visit in January. The number of items on display has topped 1,400 and is increasing almost daily as more items are brought in from the repository at Angkor Conservation. Most of the sculptures have never been seen before in public, having been locked away for safety for many years. The ANM is a great opportunity to expose more Khmer art to the world and the museum is gradually taking shape. Whilst its collection doesn't yet rival it's sister museum in Phnom Penh, the presentation is far superior with multi-media displays and copious information boards which chart the history of the mighty Khmer Empire. However, its still evolving and there are lots of ideas and plans to further enhance the collection and therefore the experience for the visitor. Additional exhibits such as a Martin Reeves infrared photography exhibition and an ancient fashion costume display are planned later this year to begin a series of themed-months to add a nice touch. Running costs prohibit a reduction in the entrance fee at the moment - the museum needs more than 600 visitors per day to break even - though if the museum can promise and deliver a world-class museum, then the fee will be much less of an issue. The adjoining shopping mall has yet to take off and an October launch is planned, though I concluded my visit with a lovely lunch at the Lim Fan Chinese restaurant on-site.