Sangker River as “The Blood System of Battambang”

Sangker River in Battambang, Cambodia

Sangker River is the main source of water for agriculture and daily uses in Battambang Province besides the Great Lake. It flows into the Tonle Sap Lake (Great Lake) from Kravanh Mountain (Cardamom Mountain) in the area near Thailand-Cambodia Borders. Sangker River has become the symbol for Battambang since it is known through many famous songs of Sin Sisamuth, Ros Sereysothea, Huy Meas, Pen Rorn, In Yeng, etc. 

Through the body of this river, some places in the area on the foot of Kravanh Mountain are considered as the most attractive destination for both local tourists and international tourists in this province such as Chamlong Kuy Rapid, Sek Sork Rapid, Pechchinda Rapid, Chrolong Bopata Rapid, etc. These spots are not only the place for tourist to swim and play with water, but also to relax, to take photos, and to enjoy the scene of the nature like forest, sound of the bird & wild animal, flow of natural water over many stone in the middle of the river, and so on. Significantly, those resorts are gaining more recognition from all tourists when the smooth national road 57A was repaired to provide comforts for travelling not like before which was difficult to travel. Sangker River has also provided many fish every year, especially during 1980s in which the river was full of fish rather than today. 

Furthermore, this river looked so beautiful with the clean and mirror-like water before Pol Pot Regime in contrast to nowadays that it has changed to the dusty river in which caused by mining activities for gems and washing those in the river as the responsibility of most Thai businessmen with the permission from the local authorities in Pailin Province during 1980s and 1990s. Even though there is the bad effect on Sangker River, it still plays an important role until today to provide water for agricultural activities throughout the most land of Battambang and Khmer people living in Battambang also use water from this river to use in either daily activity or business. 

More than that, Sangker River has been the main water way for medium boat or small ship to travel from Battambang to other ports & vice versa since the former regime. Last but not least, this river is used every year for provincial boat racing festival (Water Festival) in order to choose the best racing boat to challenge with other racing boat from other provinces of Cambodia in the biggest Water Festival in Phnom Penh. 

In brief, I think Sangker River is really important as it is the blood system for Battambang with many advantages for local people in many generations. I would like to suggest the governor of Battambang to keep their attention on the river protection and please try to recover the good view of the water in this river if possible in the future. I do believe that one day Sangker River will be the “Diamond River or Blue River” of Battambang again.

By: POK Panhavuth

Phnom Khiev Waterfall in Pailin!

Flow of Water From the Top of Mountain

Phnom Khiev is the beautiful natural resort in Pailin, Cambodia. This resort locates on Khiev Mountain not far away from National Road 57A which run from Battambang to Pailin, but the gate of pathway to this resort stands before the destination of Phnom Yat. You as the tourists just turn from National Road 57A through small pathway up and down until reach the step of mountain that is the most attractive place for holiday and relaxation. Along this pathway, you can take photo for the view of green forest, breath the fresh air, and hear the sound of wild insects. Additionally, this natural resort is developed with the expense of much money, so that causes to require tourists to pay some money for entering the resort on the foot step of the mountain. After paying for the entering fees, you will be able to enjoy in this resort as what the tourist want. However, all of you should be careful while driving up the mountain because the pathway is highly up and not straight that seems easily to get accident of falling to the side of mountain or hitting with another vehicle. Anyway, by driving with full attention, there will be no problems for all of you and let enjoy with this natural resort! On the destination, there are many kiosks for you to rent. You could lie down, chat with friends or family who go with you, eat foods in the good environment. Then you can go to touch the cold water flow from the top of mountain and take photo as the souvenirs. There are many steps and you should try to come up one by one to see what the beautiful Phnom Khiev and sense the feeling of climbing up the large rock of the natural mountain. Later, you should see clearly those large rocks lay and imagine how they were arranged by the nature since million of years ago and how many time that local former people use for living. According to my own experience, you will be aware of that answer and feel pity and love to the nature. Finally, after playing enough in this resort, you will come back with the fresh emotions.

By: Pok Panhavuth

Khmer Kingdom and Her People

Smile! Smile! Smile! (Friendliness of Khmer People)

Khmer Village Along the River near Wat Phnom in 1866

Cambodia, Kingdom of Wonder, locates in the Indochina Peninsula of the Southeast Asia Area. Nowadays, Cambodia covers the area of 181,035 km² and her border is along with Thailand in the west and north, Laos in the north, Vietnam in the east and southeast, and the Gulf of Thailand in the southwest. Cambodia used to be the most powerful kingdom, “Angkor Kingdom”, in Southeast Asia Region from 9^th to 15^th century that covered all the territory of Cambodia, most of Thailand, Laos, & the South part of Vietnam (Kampuchea Krom); the Gulf of Thailand, some part of Andaman Sea, and some part of South China Sea today. After Angkor era, this Kingdom was also known for her strong power again in Longvek Era, but it was damaged again by Siam (Thai) in 1594. 

Khmer is people for this kingdom. However, today Khmer is separated between the lost and remained territory. Majority of Khmer people are living in their own country “Cambodia”. Anyway, there are also millions of Khmer remain in the former territory of Angkor Kingdom around Cambodia. 

First, millions of Khmer, called “Khmer Sorin”, are living in Southeast territory of Thailand today such as Sorin, Nakhon ratchasima, Chanthaburi, Trat, Rayong, Nakhon Nayok, Srah Keo, Sisaket, Burirum, Yasothon, Oubun rachathani, Roiet, Chonburi, Lopburi, chaiyaphum, Mohasarakam, Amnatcharoen, Saraburi, Nonthaburi, etc. In fact, there are Khmer living in other provinces in Thailand, but they absorbed into Thai people like Sukhothai as example. Actually, Khmer temples remain in such provinces that Khmer are living and some other provinces like Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon, Phetchaburi, Lamphon, Kamphaengphet, Phisanulok, Phichit, Singburi, Nakhon Phanom, Ayuthyea, Nakhon Sawan, Uthaithani, Suphanburi, Lampang, Phrae, Samut Songkhram, Nongkhai, Udon thani, Nongbua Lamprio, etc. 

Second, in Laos, there are also Khmer people living in the south provinces, especially in Champasak. The main famous Khmer temple in these provinces is Wat Phu Temple, “the former Khmer capital in Chenla Era”. Obviously, Angkor Kingdom used to control all the territory of Laos today with her strong power. 

Finally, around 8 millions (Statistics in 2009 from Khmer Krom Federation’s Website) of Khmer, called “Khmer Krom”, are living in their own territory under Vietnamese Government’s control in the south of Vietnam. Khmer territory in this area include Mesor, Kuohkaung, Prey Nokor (Hochiminh City today), Peam Banteay Meas, Kromuon Sor, Teuk Khmao (Chroy of Cambodia in the French Map during French Colonial), Moat Chruk, Khleang, Long Hor, Prek Reussey, Kompong Reussey, Ou Kab, Preah Suorkea, Preah Trapeang, Pul Leav, Tuol Tamouk, Kompong Srokatrey (Changva Trapeang), Rong Damrey, Phsa Dek, Svay Taung, Peam Bareach, Chmouh Thmey, most part of Kontum & Dalat Plateau, and other islands, especially two large islands include Koh Tral (in front of Kampot Province of Cambodia today) and Koh Trolach. Furthermore, there are many Khmer Temple through out this territory, but most of them are broken down gradually. However, until now Vietnamese government has changed these entire Khmer name into Vietnamese name instead. 

Additionally, besides these areas, there are also some Khmer people living in the rest of the world after they fled from their homeland during the war such as Khmer Community in USA, Australia, France, Canada, Malaysia, etc. Even though Khmer people are living in different places, they still firmly continue their ancestors’ culture, language, tradition, religion, lifestyle, food, songs & music, etc. Unfortunately, Khmer Krom people are facing the restriction from Vietnamese government in continuing their culture, tradition, religion, language, lifestyle, and education in the pagoda. And one more problem between Vietnamese government and Khmer Krom today is the land conflict caused by the Vietnamese government and Vietnamese people confiscating the land of Khmer Krom for agriculture in some provinces that have continued since the control of Kampuchea Krom by Vietnam in 1949. 

In Short, there is a hope that in the future Khmer people who are living in different places will keep the good relationship with each other to improve the culture of Khmer towards the development of the bright future. Finally, there is just a request to appeal the Vietnamese government not to restrict too much on Khmer Krom in practice what they want because Khmer Krom people need only high living standard, development, and peace as Vietnamese people.

By: POK Panhavuth

Potentials of Battambang Province for Eco-tourism & Investment

Battambang Province is an attractive one among other potential area in Cambodia which is locally known as the famous rice producer because the good climate and fertilized soils allow for producing million tons of rice every year. There are a lot of rice mills in this province, which are putting into operations to meet both local demand and overseas exports. According to General Population Census of Cambodia 2008, Battambang Province covers areas of 11,702 square kilometer with the population of 1,024,663 people. If we compare density in 1998 with 2008, it increases the density from 68 people to 88 people per square kilometer. Specifically, Human Resource in Battambang is believed to be strong in many skills like business skill, computer skill, communication skill, interpersonal skill, foreign language, and other specialty. Certainly, it is the golden opportunity for the investors, who are interested in agricultural investment on rice in Battambang.

Furthermore, there is the huge rich alluvial for agriculture and industrialize crops, and natural resorts for ecotourism. Not only rice produce, but also other crops such as orange, grape, cotton, palm tree, coconut, cassava, corn, bean, etc. Many crops is describes at the moments can also be exported to foreign country and used in food and light industry. About the chance to develop Tourism Company in Battambang, it is sure that if you make decision to invest for tourism sector, you will succeed 100% with many natural and cultural resorts in Battambang. For example, Prek Tal resorts (The Paradise of Birds), Phnom Sampov, Phnom Banan (Banan Temple), Sek Sork River Resorts, Ek Phnom Temple, Kamping Puoy Lake, Popos Pechinda River Resort, Chamlong Kuoy River Resort and another beautiful natural resorts which is not opened yet. Especially, most of these resorts are along the national road number 57A, it is sure that travelling will be easy and comfortable for investor and tourist to visit that area which is the most eye-catching one in Battambang. By these factors, Battambang will become the most interesting destination for both investment and ecotourism.

In conclusion, it is suggested that all the investors and tourists (both national and international) should choose Battambang to be invested and visited with the potential land and beautiful scenes of this province.

By: POK Panhavuth

Happy Khmer New Year in Battambang! Happy New Development!

"New Stone Bridge across Sangker River instead of Iron Bridge in Battambang City"

Battambang City is the provincial center of Battamban Province. During Khmer New Year 2010 there, many new infrastructure was seen in the city and also in other part of Battambang. New tall buildings, especially new hotels have been built welcoming the increasing tourists and travelers come to Battambang. Furthermore, several new bridges were constructed completely for peolple living in this province get across The Sangker River easily for their daily lives. Moreover, there are new smooth rubber streets in Battambang City which have been built over the dusty road for making Khmer Citizens there more comfortable. Another development that is conducted for Battambang is the new smooth national road number 57A (previously called national road number 10 since Sangkum Reastr Niyum Regime) with new short bridges along it run from Battambang City to Pailin Province. By seeing these new developments for Battambang, there is the admiration for the efforts of Royal Government of Cambodia and its civil servants, especially Samdech Primeminister Hun Sen about smart ideas for leading the ship of The Kingdom of Cambodia as The Kingdom of Wonder towards the new developed and properous era in the near future and for spreading the good prestige of Cambodia and her culture nowadays to tell other nations throughout the world. Finally, there is the hope and strong belief on The Royal Government of Cambodia to bring more new development for the land of Battambang as "The Land of Hope" in the northwest region of The Kingdom of Cambodia.

By: Pok Panhavuth

"New Good-Looking National Road 57A Run From Battambang City to Pailin Province"

"Underconstructing Surrounding Battambang City Road Connected National Road Number 5 to National Road 57A"

Battambang Province Overview

Battambang Province is the most famous rice producing province and a second biggest city in Cambodia. It locates in the northwest area near Tonle Sap Lake (Boeung Tonle Sap). It has boundary with Thailand (Changwat Trat, Changwat Chanthaburi, and Changwat Sakeo). Locally, it connected with Pailin Province, Banteay Meanchey Province, Siem Reap Province, Pursat Province, and Tonle Sap Lake (Great Lake). Noticeably, Banteay Meanchey used to be the part of Battambang Province and it was separated as Banteay Meanchey Province since 1987. It had been in peace again when civil war in Cambodia finished in 1998. Nowadays, Battambang has a population of 1,025,174 people equal 7.65% of the Cambodia's total population (2008 Cambodian Citizens Census). Most people are living in the rice field area and usually do the farming. However, many people living in Battambang city are likely to do business or work for private sector (Investing Company) and public sector (Royal Government of Cambodia). Furthermore, Battambang people, especially students are studious to learn foreign languages like Japanese, Chinese, English, French, Thai... Therefore, Battambang is now potential for tourism and foreign investment because most of Khmer Battambang can communicate well with foreigner. Finally, Battambang can be considered as "The Land of hope".

By: POK Panhavuth