Kantha Bopha to Get Angkor Donations in February

Khmer Times
San Bunsim and Chea Vannak

The Swiss founder of Kantha Bopha hospitals, Dr. Beat Richner, on his morning rounds of the ICU 1 Unit at Jayavarman VII in Siem Reap. KT/Naomi-Collett Ritz

Two dollars from the sale of every ticket to the Angkor temple complex will go to the Kantha Bopha hospitals in February 2017, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance yesterday.

A letter sent to Dr. Beat Richner, the founder for the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospitals, detailed the government’s decision to fund the hospitals.

“The Cambodian government will fund the hospital using $2 from the ticket sale of each visitor to Angkor Wat. This funding will officially start from February 2017,” read the statement.

The extra fee was added to the ticket price to show the government’s concern about hospital budget issues and the donation from tourists will benefit Cambodian children, especially those who are poor, the announcement added.

The Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province attracted some 1.26 million foreign visitors in the first seven months of this year, according to figures from the Angkor Institution.

From January to July, a total of 1,260,270 foreign tourists bought entrance tickets, an increase of 1.76 percent compared with the same period last year, receiving more than $35.87 million as income, up 2.33 percent.

Dr. Denis Laurent, deputy director of the Kantha Bopha Foundation, said he was happy with the news and thanked the government.

“It is good that the hospital gets financial support from the government, so the hospital can continue the operation in helping more children,” he said. “Thanks to all donors who support the hospital so far.”

The new price of a one-day pass will be $37, according to a statement on Friday by the Angkor Institution, which is nearly double the present $20 fee. The three-day pass and weekly pass, now priced at $40 and $60 respectively, will rise to $62 and $72. The new prices would be implemented from February 1 next year, the statement added.

Last year, 2.1 million tourists came to visit Angkor Wat, which means a $2 donation from each visitor would amount to more than $4 million if tourist numbers did not change.

It is said that $130,000 is spent at Kantha Bopha hospitals every day.