Phnom Penh today View from the Sky
Riverside in Phnom Penh today
Independent Monument Park in Sangkum Reastr Niyum Regime
Building along the Preah Monivong Boulevard in Sangkum Reastr Niyum Regime
Being the
capital of Cambodia and populating around 1.5 million people today, Phnom Penh is the representatives as the heart of Cambodia to the world. Phnom Penh
became Khmer capital since the early 15th century (1434) after the
fall of Angkor City; this capital was also abandoned several times later
shifting the capital to other different places like Longvek (in Kompong Chhnang),
Oudong (in the border area of Kompong Speu and Kandal), and Srolob Dontey
Pichey Prey Nokor (in Kompong Cham). Leaving Oudong Capital in 1867, Phnom Penh
became once again the capital of Cambodia. French colonial helped to build new
Phnom Penh Royal Palace copied by Siam Architects under the royal order of King
of Siam to build Bangkok Royal Palace later. Besides taking much benefit from
colonizing Cambodia, France built department and French-style housing in Phnom
Penh remaining for all tourists to visit nowadays. Withdrawing budget from tax
collection, France initiated to build Central Market or Phsar Thom Thmey in the
middle of capital in 1930s as well as many other infrastructures in the city
were built such as Buddhist Institution, Schools, National Museum, etc. Being
developed in the independent era as Pearl City in South East Asia in 1950s and
1960s, this capital was expanded bigger and bigger with good architectural plan
later studied by Singaporean Architects for Singapore City’s development. Being
bloomed as main city of Cambodia in 1960s, construction was done with creative
design by VANN Molyvann and other architects for tall buildings along Monivong Blvd,
new city housing throughout Phnom Penh (Good air system, good sewerage system,
standard for living, and last long), and interesting sites such as Independent
Monument, Olympic Stadium, Wat Phnom, Russian Market (Phsar Tuol Tumpong),
Modern Cambodian-Japanese Friendship Bridge, National Bank of Cambodia, new
parks, Monivong Bridge, Pochentong Airport (today Phnom Penh International
Airport), Chaktomuk Hall, Tonle Bassac Theatre (Mohorsrop Tonle Bassac), Royal
University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), etc. Being much more active in economic,
political, and cultural activities than other cities in South East Asia, Phnom
Penh attracted more foreign tourists to enjoy life in Phnom Penh after Angkor
City; most of foreign companies, especially French companies felt confident to
choose Phnom Penh to operate their business as local people speaking French
fluently. For example, Air France, a company operating air transportation
service among of French companies during that time, has just returned to
operate its business in Phnom Penh again. Being so dynamic and good
environment, Sangkum Reastr Niyum Regime, aka Koh Santepheap, built the good
diplomacy and trust in international stage. For instance, Cambodia-Japan relation
was so good since King Norodom Shihanuok did not demand for compensation from
Japan on short occupation destruction in Cambodia while Japan was in the
difficult condition under the international pressure as the world war loser. Another
image of political cooperation of Cambodia in that regime was the meeting of
King Norodom Shihanouk with General De Gaul in 1966 at the Olympic stadium celebrating
good hospitality by Phnom Penh people and Khmer army’s Show. In Phnom Penh
Being recovered
soon for several decades after war, Phnom Penh has been gradually added with
new things following the world globalization such as new suburb cities
surrounding old city of Phnom Penh, skyscrapers for office renting and housing,
luxury hotels and apartments, Khmer-style guesthouses, all kinds of food
restaurants, modern theatre and new park in Koh Pich, supermarkets, wedding
center, large casino, amusement park, water park, modern cinemas, new parks
along Tonle Sap River, and new building of government institutions. The most
interesting sites in Sangkum Reastr Niyum still remain, but only that some are dilapidated. Royal Government of Cambodia has been
repairing them such as Phsar Thom Thmey, parks, Independent Monument, Wat
Phnom, etc. Monivong Blvd has been called Business Street in Phnom Penh because of the crowded local businesses. Phnom Penh International Airport is
expected to move for new place much larger to receive large planes. Business
activities and political cooperation in Phnom Penh are internationally growing
so fast with the flow-in of foreign investment continuously and population
growth year by year. Being a chair of ASEAN in 2012, Phnom Penh served for
Finance Minister Meeting in April and is preparing to welcome ASEAN Annual
Summit 2012. “Green policy and good management of sewerage system should be
consideration for city development!” “Relaxation Park is not only needed in the
center of Phnom Penh, but the outskirts should get the opportunity for sport
motivation!” “Good Rubbish Management! Good Environment! Good Leadership!”
By: POK Panhavuth
Night in Phnom Penh (Reatry Phnom Penh) By HUY Meas
Visit Phnom Penh (Tassona Krong Phnom Penh) By SIN Sisamuth & MAO Sareth
Reatrey Phnom Penh, SIN Sisamuth
Cambodia in 1965 with the view of Phnom Penh and her People
New Skyscrapers in Phnom Penh from now on!
