If they want this to work for everyone then there will be reduced prices for locals.

And yes, that means that foreigners will pay more, but suck it up if it means that everyone - foreigners and Cambodians - will have equivalent earning access to the site. $5 entry for each foreigner is not the same as $5 for each member of a local family.
This could be a good thing for Siem Reap tourism, and (so far) it sounds much more attractive than the"Wisney World" project for Sihanoukville. IMO.

COMING SOON...

Cambodia News (Siem Reap): On 18 September 2022, Lok Chumteav Teang Eng, wife of HE Tea Seiha, Governor of Siem Reap Province, posted on Facebook saying that the world-class aquarium park in Siem Reap is scheduled to be open to the public by the end of October 2022.

Established by the Angkor Wildlife and Aquarium, the Angkor Zoo and Aquarium has been constructed on more than 100 hectares of land with a total investment of USD 70 million.

The tycoon has expressed her amazement at seeing such a large freshwater fish, that lives in the Mekong River, which has a huge body, and weighs more than 100 kg. She encourages parents to bring their children to visit the aquarium to show them the many wonderful aquatic species living in Cambodian waters and to learn about their habits.

I didn't know this place was coming our way.

As a father of young children living in SR, I think it's freakin' awesome!

Angkor wildlife, aquarium park still to open October
Hin Pisei | Publication date 19 September 2022 | 20:31 ICT
The Angkor Wildlife and Aquarium complex about 30km southeast of Siem Reap town with initial total investment of more than $70 million is reportedly still on track for an end-October opening.

The park is located on a 100ha plot along National Road 6 in Kbon village, Khchas commune, Sotr Nikum district, Siem Reap province about 7km northwest of Damdek village, where the road intersects with National Road 64.

Sotr Nikum district governor Mak Bros told The Post on September 19 that the Japanese- and US-invested Angkor Wildlife and Aquarium was created as a “world-class entertainment venue” for “visitors from everywhere” that creates jobs for locals and contributes to economic growth in the district and nationwide.

Slated to be developed in three phases, the park will feature “rare” fish and other animals, and strengthen Siem Reap province’s prestige as home to an abundant and diverse range of travel hotspots, he said.

“By virtue of this project, I expect more national and international tourists to visit Sotr Nikum district – a place to see a rich assemblage of fauna,” Bros added.

Bros said that he had met with Meng Hieng, who he mentioned was a co-owner of the project, and that Hieng revealed that at least one residential area, man-made creeks and other nature-related attractions are in the pipeline for Phase II, with a “luxury hotel” planned for Phase III.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/ ... en-october

Cambodia News (Siem Reap): On 27 October 2022, the Siem Reap Provincial Administration announced that the Angkor Wildlife and Aquarium, exhibiting fish, various species of aquatic life, and exotic animals, will open from 1 November 2022 onwards; with more than 10,000 cubic meters of freshwater and saltwater fish and animal exhibits on display.

Some of the freshwater and saltwater fish and turtles are native species to Cambodia, while some animals have been imported from abroad, such as tigers from South Africa *, and bears are also housed in the park zoo.

The Siem Reap Provincial Administration would like to congratulate and express support for this investment as well as encourage other investors to invest in Siem Reap in order to increase employment and income for the people of Siem Reap.



* Q. Are there tigers in South Africa ?
A. Yes there are, but tigers are not native to Africa, and these are captive-born Chinese tigers, brought to South Africa for breeding and rewilding.
-Interesting tale(short): https://roaring.earth/why-tigers-in-south-africa/
-The project (long): https://chinadialogue.net/en/nature/658 ... ilderness/

Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium, a New Tourist Attraction of Siem Reap Province
AKP Phnom Penh, November 01, 2022 --
The US$70-million Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium in Siem Reap was officially inaugurated on Nov. 1 to attract more tourists to the province and contribute to natural resource conservation.

Located on an area of more than 100 hectares in Kbaun village, Kchas commune, Sotr Nikum district, the Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium features over 1,000 species of fresh water and saltwater aquariums and outdoor animal exhibits including tigers, river otters, Royal Turtles, Siamese crocodiles, and so on.

Mr. Benoit Jancloes, General Manager of Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium, said the park development project began on April 29, 2019 and the first phase was completed in October 2022.

The project focuses on conservation, education and tourism, with unique attractions for national and international tourists visiting Angkor temples in Siem Reap, he added.

H.E. Tea Seiha, Governor of Siem Reap province, welcomed the inauguration ceremony, saying that Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium is a new tourism product attracting more and more tourists to visit Siem Reap.
Article in Khmer by Khuth Sao
Article in English by C. Nika
- AKP

Locals and expats $10, international tourists $18 - I suppose you have to show what type of visa you are on, how else will they know?