Prasat Sikhoraphum, Surin, Thailand
(ប្រាសាទសិខរភូមិ នៅខេត្តសុរិន្ទ្រ ប្រទេសថៃ)
Khmer Surin is a word known to all Khmer in Cambodia as our people living in Thailand. In fact, there is another name for all Khmer in Thailand as Northeastern Khmer, Western Khmer and Khmer-Thai because if we talk about Khmer Surin, it means only Khmer living in Surin while Khmer Buriram, Khmer Sisaket, and Khmer in other provinces of Thailand don't prefer to be called as Khmer Surin. They have been living there since the pre-history. During the peak of Khmer Empire (Kamvujadesa from 802 AD to 1432AD), our Kingdom covers larger territory on the most of Thailand and Laos, some part of Burma and China and two third of Vietnam today, especially Srindrapura (Surin) is also one of the main town as well.
Today there is more than one million people living in Surin Province and over 50% are Khmer descendant in Thailand and we have other several million of Khmer living in Buriram Province, Sisaket Province, Roi Et Province, Ubonratchathani Province and Nakhonrat Sima Province, Chanthaburi Province, Sakaeo Province, Trat Province, Prachinburi Province, Ratchaburi Province and some in Bangkok. I would call Khmer in Thailand as Khmer Surin to easily call them together. Most of older Khmer Surin can speak Khmer language fluently while less younger Khmer Surin can speak Khmer fluently.
There are Khmer temples in Nakhonratchasima (Korat), Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, Sakaeo, Lopburi, Sokhothai, Ratchaburi, Kanchanakburi, Chanthaburi, Sakonnakhon, Roi Et, Yasothon, Phetchaburi, Surat Thani and more.
Khmer in Thailand mostly speaks local Khmer mixed with Thai accent for younger generation while older people speak Khmer clearly. Tourism are focusing in local livelihood of Khmer in Thailand with their unique music and Elephant festival. Khmer in Thailand are very kind for local living in rural areas. I used to get lost and warmly welcomed by our Khmer Surin with meal and accommodation. I am so grateful to them and wish them good luck and keeping going for their own cultural way. Let's cooperate if possible.
By: Steung Khiev
