Cambodia has opened a new 150km road connecting its border with Thailand, which is expected to significantly improve travel time and boost cross-border trade as well as tourism.

The road extends from Poipet to Siem Reap, site of the World Heritage site Angkor Wat, allowing people to finish the journey during daytime and eliminating the need for an overnight stay along the way.

The new road is an improvement to the old war-damaged road and features modern drainage systems with raised embankments to withstand severe floods and torrential downpours.

The Asian Development Bank has funded the repair of National Roads 5 and 6, which forms the central component of a larger $50m road improvement project for Cambodia’s north-west.