Overview
Kampong Thom (ខេត្តកំពង់ធំ) is a province in the center of Cambodia and Its capital Kampong Thom. Kampong Thom is Cambodia’s second largest province by area, neightboring Preah Vihear to the north, Siem Reap to the northwest, Pursat to the west, Kampong Cham and Kampong Chhnang to the south and Stung Treng to the north east. The province a picturesque town on the banks of the Stung Saen River. The Sambor temple and Prei Kuk temple are the two main temples in Kompong Thom as well as other less significant Angkorian sites. Kompong Thom was a former capital in Southeast Asia during the Funan period. Later on, during the French rule, the province was home to a large group named the Stieng, but they have long been assimilated into Khmer society.
Kampong Thom, often called the navel of Cambodia, is a sleepy rural town, though there is plenty nearby to keep visitors amused. The town is at the crossroads of the Angkor temple complex, Preah Vihear tmeple, and the pre-Angkorian capital of Sambor Prey Kup. The town sits on the banks of the slow moving Sen River which originates in the Dangrek Mountains. The town is mainly located on the National Highway No 6 between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Its more a stopover to have a break from driving long distances or to eat something on the way to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, than a very touristic place.
Kampong Pos Thom was the original name of the present province called Kampong Thom. Originally long time ago, at the dock of the Sen River next to a lake, there was a big cave with a pair of big snakes inside. The people living around this area usually saw these big snakes every Buddhist Holiday. Time after that, the snakes disappeared, and the people of that area called it Kampong Pos Thom. Then, only short words, Kampong Thom came later. During the French colony in Cambodia, the French ruled and divided Cambodian territory into provinces, and named them according to the spoken words of the people. Kampong Thom was a powerful capital in south-east Asia during the Funan period. Kampong Thom has Prasat Sambour Prey Kok temple that was famous during the Chenla Era.
Administration
Kampong Thom is a municipality, It is subdivided into 8 districts, 81 commune and 732 Villages. Kampong Thom has Two of the three core areas in Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve are located in Kampong Thom.
1)- Boeng Chhmar (14,560 hectares), and, 2)-Stung Saen (6,355 hectares).
| ISO Code | District | Romanization | Population | Communes | Villages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0601 | Baray | ||||
| 0602 | Kampong Svay | ||||
| 0603 | Steung Sen | ||||
| 0604 | Prasat Balangk | ||||
| 0605 | Prasat Sambour | ||||
| 0606 | Sandaan | ||||
| 0607 | Santuk | ||||
| 0608 | Stoung |
People
Kampong Thom is the capital of the Kampong Thom province, Cambodia. It with a population of 708,398 people (2009) and 51.3/Km2 . Kampong Thom is 165km from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap 150km with the National Highway No 6. In an effort to entice foreign investment, the province is offering generous business concessions to those who wish to invest in rice plantations inside the country. Kampong Thom have an abundance of red soil and water resources from Tonle Sap Lake, which create ideal conditions for agriculture especially rice growing.
Economy
Kampong Thom province is, rich in tourism potentials to attract tourists with its exotic lakes, rivers, forests, mountains and more than 200 ancient temples. Much of Kampong Thom is located on the floodplain of the Tonle Sap lake. In 2003-04 it was a significant producer of wild fish (18,800 tons) and the fourth largest producer of fish through aquaculture in Cambodia (1,800 tons).
Most fish-raising is by home production, with a growing segment devoted to rice field aquaculture. Kampong Thom is also one of the largest producers of cashew nuts in Cambodia, with 6,371 hectares under production in 2003-04.
Weather
Kampong Thom is also get warm and humid temperature with average temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius. The country enjoy tropical climate with warm and humid temperature. In the monsoon season, abundant rain allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops. This year-round tropical climate makes Cambodia ideal for developing tourism. December and January are the coolest months The Hottest is April. During the rainy season between mid-April and mid-October the Mekong swells and backs into the Tonle Sap (Great Lake), increasing the size of the lake almost threefold. Between November and April winds are less strong and there are higher temperatures (up to 35°C). Within in propical area, Banteay Meanchey province enjoy tropical climate – warm and humid.