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