The peace that followed Suryavarman I's military campaigns and the huge revenues drawn from the various parts of the Khmer Empire enabled him to undertake a huge building program. A new town was planned and laid out with wide avenues and large buildings. A royal enclosure was built with the official palace in front of it, as well as a grand plaza and many public bathing pools. Some of the terraces built by Suryavarman I are still standing today.
More waterways to carry water around the city and to irrigate the rice fields, which fed the huge court and the population of the city of Angkor, were constructed. He also continued work on the Phimeanakas and added new parts to [G 26 / Preah] Vihear, as well as build temples at Vak Ek, Vat Baset, Phnom Chisor and Chau Srei Vibol.
Suryavarman I's reign was a time of greatness for the Khmer people. He ruled a huge empire covering much of southern Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and the Malay peninsula. His city was large and grand, comprising numerous temples and terraces made of stone and hundreds of wooden domestic buildings. These were used to house the king, his courtiers and officials.
At this time, Angkor was a lively colorful city full of people and bustling activity. In place of the silence one experiences today - broken only by the chattering of wildlife - Suryavarman I's Angkor was full of noise: hawkers shouting their wares in the markets; people chatting on street corners; officials busily going about their duties; and grand processions of elephants and horses going to and from the grand palace of the king.
