Kampong Thom
Kâmpóng Thum is a Provinces of Cambodia. Kâmpóng Thum area is 13814
Introduction
Kampong Pos Thom’ was the original name of the present call ‘Kampong Thom’. Because originally long time ago, at the dock of Sen river next to a big natural 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 Kampong Pos Thom. Then, only short words ‘Kampong Thom’. During the French colony in Cambodia, the French ruled and divided Cambodian territory into provinces, and named them according the spoken words of the people called ‘Kampong Thom Province’ until now.
History
Kampong Thom is a province located at the central point of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The province has a total land area of 15,061km2 divided into 8 districts, 81 communes and 737 Villages.
The province is divided into two parts:
- Eastern part of National Road 6: Covers 70% surface consisting of forests and plateau, rich in natural resources which are good for agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry.
- Western of part of National Road 6: Covers 30% surface is the plain area extending to Tonle Sap Lake. This area is good for rice cultivation and fishing for supporting the needs of the province and exporting to other.
People
The total population is 708,398 person or 4.5% of the total population 14,363,519 person in Cambodia (2007, provincial government data) with growth rate 2.4%, which consisting of 343,478 person or 48.3% are male and 364,920 person or 51.7% of female. In the above number are also consisting of 517,072 person or 85.0% are farmers, 28,150 person or 4.60% are fishermen, 91,248 person or 15% are traders, 5,884 person or 0.97% are government’s officers.
Climate
The country has a tropical climate-warm and humid. 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. Travelers need not fear natural disasters such as erupting volcanoes or earthquakes, and the country is not directly affected by tropical storms. Cambodia can be visited throughout the year. However those planning to travel extensively by road should avoid the last two months of the rainy season when some countryside roads may be impassable. The climate distinguished by four major seasons. The most pleasant is the cool-dry season from November to February during which temperatures are cooler (average 20-28º C.). The hot-dry season lasts from March to May (average 30-35º C.). From June to August is the rainy season, during which temperatures are relatively cool (average 22-30º C.). And from September to October is the cool-wet season (average 25-30º C.). At this time of year it rarely rains in the morning: most precipitation comes in the afternoon, and even then, only sporadically. Rainfall veries considerably from area to area. Whereas the seaward slopes of the south-west higlands (Kompong Som and Kampot provinces) receive more than 5,000 mm of rain per annum, the central lowlands average only about 1,400 mm.
Get In
The province has road network which links from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap on National Road 6, and separates to Preah Vihea province National Road 64 in a distance of 126 km.
With the road to Kampong Thom in decent shape from Phnom Penh, it’s just a matter of time before air-con buses ply the route. For the time being it’s the share taxi if you don’t have your own transportation. Once you are in Kampong Thom and want to continue to Siem Reap or T’beng Meanchey (Preah Vihear Province), the roads are worse, but the share taxis ply the route all year round.
by Share Taxi
Phnom Penh to Kampong Thom 7,000riel (Same in reverse) Kampong Thom to Siem Reap 10,000riel (5-6 hours) Kampong Thom to 20,000riel T’beng Meanchey(5-6 hours)
Motorcycle Touring Info
Security in all directions is no longer a problem. As mentioned earlier, the road is a breeze from Phnom Penh. Starting at the Japanese Bridge in Phnom Penh, head out Highway 6 to Skon where you go left at the traffic circle (it has a statue of kids holding a bird). This takes you the rest the way.
Kampong Thom to Siem Reap
It’s 145 km, with the road in nice shape for a while after you leave Kampong Thom town, then gets rougher, but much re-grading work has been done. It’s not like it used to be; bomb crater holes used to be so deep that during the rainy season one could have a family picnic at a crater’s shoreline.
The Kampong Thom-T’beng Meanchey See warning below.
To take the 137 km journey, you follow Highway 6 toward Siem Reap for 5 km to the fork in the road. A sing in English will point to the right side of the fork for TM Chey(T’beng Meanchey town, Preah Vihear Province) down High way 12.The road here is much improved, as there has been a lot of resurfacing done to accommodate the droves of logging trucks heading to and from Preah Vihear Province . The downside of the easier road is the dust that the trucks whip up as they chug along the road. It can be a real hazard as the thick dust clouds practically blind you from seeing possible oncoming traffic when you want to pass these slow moving vehicles.
The final 37 km stretch through the mountains and into T’beng Meanchey is still tough going. This is how the entire road used to be-bomb craters, erosion galleys, and rocks are all here for your motorcycle fun. It can actually be enjoyable stretch scenery is brilliant. This stretch can also be done during the rainy season, though the road may be slippery and dotted with small mud ponds after heavy rains. Enjoy.
Get around
The town is easily explored by foot. There are motorbike-taxis for hire to take you to more distant sights.