Kampong Thom
Kampong Thom Province is the second-largest province in Cambodia, located approximately 165 kilometers north of Phnom Penh. It serves as a gateway to the country’s northern regions and is known for its serene countryside, ancient temples, and vibrant local culture. The province is divided into 8 districts, each offering unique experiences for visitors.
Geography and Administrative Divisions
Kampong Thom is administratively divided into eight districts (ស្រុក, Srok) and one municipality (ក្រុង, Krong), encompassing a total of 81 communes (ឃុំ, Khum) and 737 villages (ភូមិ, Phum).
The districts and municipalities are:
Baray District (ស្រុកបារាយណ៍): Known for its vast rice fields and traditional villages, Baray is one of the province’s most significant agricultural areas.
Kampong Svay District (ស្រុកកំពង់ស្វាយ): Home to several ancient temples and historical sites, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Prasat Balangk District (ស្រុកប្រាសាទបល្ល័ង្ក): Features scenic landscapes and is known for its local craftsmanship.
Prasat Sambour District (ស្រុកប្រាសាទសំបូរ): Contains parts of the Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sandan District (ស្រុកសណ្តាន់): Characterized by dense forests and wildlife, offering eco-tourism opportunities.
Santuk District (ស្រុកសន្ទុក): Notable for Phnom Santuk, a sacred hill with numerous Buddha statues.
Stoung District (ស្រុកស្ទោង): Located along the Stung Sen River, it is an important area for fishing and agriculture.
Stueng Saen Municipality (ក្រុងស្ទឹងសែន): The provincial capital, serving as the administrative and economic center of Kampong Thom.
Religion and Climate
Theravada Buddhism is the predominant religion in Kampong Thom, deeply influencing the province’s cultural and spiritual landscape. This is evident in the numerous pagodas and religious ceremonies that dot the region. Additionally, there are communities of Cham Muslims and a minority of Christians, contributing to the province’s cultural diversity.
Kampong Thom experiences a tropical climate characterized by three distinct seasons:
Cool Season: November to February, offering mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Hot Season: March to May, with soaring temperatures and dry conditions.
Rainy Season: June to October, marked by heavy rainfall and lush landscapes.
These climatic variations significantly influence agricultural practices and daily life in the province.
Economy
Agriculture is the backbone of Kampong Thom’s economy. The fertile plains are ideal for cultivating rice, corn, rubber, and cotton. Notably, the province is renowned for its cashew nut production, with vast plantations contributing to both local consumption and export. The abundant freshwater resources from the Tonle Sap Lake also support a thriving fishing industry, providing sustenance and livelihood to many local communities.
Kampong Thom Travel Guide
Sambor Prei Kuk: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient temple complex dates back to the 7th century, showcasing pre-Angkorian architecture amidst dense forests. Exploring its intricate carvings and structures offers a journey back in time.
Phnom Santuk: A sacred hill that requires ascending over 800 steps, rewarding visitors with panoramic views of the countryside. The summit is adorned with numerous Buddha statues and shrines, making it a significant pilgrimage site.
Kampong Thom Market: Located in the heart of Stung Saen, this bustling market offers a vibrant array of fresh produce, local delicacies, and handcrafted goods. It’s an ideal spot to immerse oneself in the daily life of the locals and sample traditional Khmer cuisine.
Phnom Penh, the vibrant capital of Cambodia, is a city that seamlessly blends rich history with modernity. Whether you’re a backpacker seeking budget-friendly hostels or a luxury traveler in search of top-notch amenities, Phnom Penh has something to offer for every type of traveler. Let’s dive into the accommodation options available in this captivating city.
- FIVE STAR
- FOUR STAR
- STANDARD
- HOSTEL
These are just a few options, and Phnom Penh has many more dining choices to explore, catering to various tastes and budgets.
- FINE DINING
- MID-RANGE
- CHEAP EAT
For booking bus and flight tickets in Cambodia, you have several reputable options. Here are some recommendations:
- BUS TICKETS
- FLIGHT TICKETS
Emergency Contacts:
Police: 117 (General emergency number)
Ambulance: 119
Fire Department: 118
Tourist Police: +855 97 799 9955
Gallery
Next Destination
- Siem Reap
- Phnom Penh
- Battambang
- Ta Keo
- Kep
- Kampot
- Svay Reang
- Sihanouk Ville
- Koh Rong
- Koh Rong Sanleom
- Koh Kong
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- Kampong Chhnang
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- Pursat
- Pailin
- Banteay Meanchey
- Oddar Meanchey
- Preah Vihear
- Tboung Khmum
- Stung Treng
- Ratanakiri
- Mondulkiri
- Kratie
- Kampong Cham
- Kampong Thom
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Kris M2023-03-09 This is the way to experience Cambodia! Merry Travel/ Sam is an excellent tour guide and the tour is perfectly curated . You get to experience Cambodia authentically and at the ground level- the awesome ancient temples, the horrifying but important political history and the resilient, friendly people and their present day life/livelihoods. I cannot recommend Merry Travel and Sam enough! Our trip was a 10 out of 10! Trek7907062023-03-05 Just the right level of support Sam seems to intuitively know when to explain and when to let us discover things for ourselves. The discovery of Angkor Wat--truly one of the great treasures of humanity--unfolded flawlessly in this way: unhurried, flowing, and awe-inspiring. Thanks to Sam and the Merry Travel team for an unforgettable experience! NETraveler2023-03-04 Highly Recommend Merry Travel The tour guides at Merry Travel are very knowledgeable and fun to travel with. We saw many interesting things on our trip and loved the bike rides through back roads and paths. The trip to Angkor Wat for sunrise was particularly spectacular. I highly recommend Merry Travel for your Cambodia adventures. mark s2023-03-04 Biking Cambodia This is the 7th time I have done a tour with Sam. I have taken 5 groups of students and 2 groups of adults. In addition, I have recommended at least 3 other friends to work with him. If you want professionalism and fairness, Sam is the person for you. Merry Travel is an outstanding business and I cannot applaud it enough. We did 3 days of cycling in Angkor Wat, then went to Phnom Penh and then Kampot. Sam worked out all the transfers and we had excellent guides, including Sam himself. He knows what it takes to make the customer happy and he is very even-keeled in his approach. Kamal2023-02-11 Fantastic Autoventure Experience Fantastic Autoventure holidays in Cambodia from the day we enter Cambodia (Poipet) till we depart for Vietnam via Bavet checkpoint. All tours and meals being meticulously planned served the needs.Sam insightful knowledge in Cambodia history and latest attractive places has made the Autoventure Group discover Cambodia country in depth. His entire photography and videography crew captures moments that are worth to show the whole world.Thank you Sam and crew on the FANTASTIC Autoventure experience. For sure Sam will be recommended strongly for Fantastic Cambodia experience.Cheers....Kamal and Nor Dona Alex B2023-02-05 Very recommended company I really recommend Merry Travel if you are thinking of backpacking across Cambodia or any other kind of travel that requires some local knowledge and expertise. Sam and his employees are very professional but also friendly. They are more than just tour guides. They are a resource you can fully entrust. Jamie W2022-11-13 Best Bike Tour ever Best bike tour ever. Big thanks to my tour guide Chea.Jungle was an adventure due to Covid and regrowth as no traffic has been through there for a while. Tour guide was amazing Picked up a couple of flat tyres over the 8 days but the guide had us back on the road in minutes.Best experience. Highly recommended Ravit and Oded L2022-10-26 Bike riding in thailand, cambodia and vietnam with merry travel Rode bike with merry travel in thailand, cambodia and vietnam. Really great time. Especially recommend the mekong river delta ride in vietnam.The organization was very good, hotels, food, bicycles... Vietnam Escape Tour Travel2022-10-08 We had great trip with Merry Travel we had a great trip with Merry Travel. Tour organized by Thany was very smooth.hotels had very good location and excellent services.Our guide was very helpful and flexible on tour. Very good driver and we had good food there.Siem Reap is amazing with Angkor Wat.Really recommend Merry Travel for your trip in Cambodia Steve48484562019-08-19 Twelve days driving around Cambodia with Merry Travel Asia . Just returned from twelve days driving around Cambodia with Merry Travel Asia . We stayed in Siem Reap , Kratie, Phnom Penh and Battambang . What a great experience , the dolphins in Kratie and the Wats of Angkor were special highlights , topped off with a (totally organic) dinner on a local farm in the country side outside Siem Reap with Sam and friends.Thanks to Sam and his team all went smoothly and according to plan with good accommodation and friendly service throughout the trip.Lots of wonderful memories.Hope to see you again soon Sam. Steve LeverTripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 56 reviews
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