An international conservation team has launched a comprehensive restoration of the Wat Phou satellite sanctuary, a 10th-century Khmer temple located near the Laos-Cambodia border. The project focuses on stabilizing the laterite and sandstone blocks of the main gallery, which have been shifting due to monsoon-induced soil erosion. The temple is noted for its shared architectural DNA with the World Heritage site of Preah Vihear.
Laser scanning and 3D photogrammetry are being used to map the structural stress points. The restoration also aims to recover and reassemble the fallen lintels, which feature rare depictions of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. This effort is seen as a vital step in preserving the shared cultural heritage of the ancient Khmer Empire across modern borders.