its proximity to the Thai border, the complex has been subjected to severe looting, especially in the 1990s. In 1998, 2000 and 2002 the temple was listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the top one hundred most endangered sites in the world. For example, in 1998 a group of soldiers stole a 30-metre section of the southern wall. The bas-reliefs of Banteay Chhmar once displayed eight exceptional Avalokiteśvaras in the west gallery, but now only two remain. In January 1999 looters dismantled sections of the western gallery wall containing these bas-reliefs. They were intercepted by Thai police and 117 sandstone pieces of the wall were recovered. They are now on display in the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh. Villages Kouk Samraong(គោកសំរោង) Koet(កើត) Kbal Tonsaong(ក្បាលទន្សោង) Banteay Chhmar Cheung(បន្ទាយឆ្មារជើង) Bangtey Chmar Khang Lech(បន្ទាយឆ្មារលិច) Kbal Krabei(ក្បាលក្របី) Banteay Chhmar Tboung(បន្ទាយឆ្មារត្បូង) Trapeim Thlok Thma Daekkeh(ថ្មដែកកេះ) Thlok(ថ្លុក) Kouk Samraong Lech(គោកសំរោងលិច) Srah Chrey(ស្រះជ្រៃ) Prey Changha(ព្រៃចង្ហារ) Prasat Tbeng(ប្រាសាទត្បែង) Dang Rek(ដងរែក) World Heritage Status This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on March 27, 2020 (originally proclaimed September 1, 1992) in the Cultural category. References Bibliography External links Banteay Chhmar project summary at Global Heritage Fund Explore Banteay Chhmar on Global Heritage Network The fundamental 1937 article "Banteay Chhmar: Marvelous Khmer City in Cambodia" by George Groslier Banteay Chhmar on Angkorguide.net Visit Banteay Chhmar Banteay Chhmar, Photographic Documentation and Photo Gallery Communes of Banteay Meanchey province Thma Puok District Buildings and structures in Banteay Meanchey province Angkorian sites in Banteay Meanchey Province