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The province has road network which links from Phnom
Penh to iem Reap on National Road 6, and separates to Preah Vihea
province National Road 64 in a distance of 126 km.
Geography
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.
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- 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.
Kampong Thom is also a province-rich in
tourism potentials to attract national and international tourists such as
the exotic lakes, rivers, forests, mountain and more than 200 ancient
temples.
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History of Sambor Prei Kuk:
The ancient city where monuments of Sambo Prei Kuk are found today was
identified as ISANAPURA, the capital of Chenla in 7th
century. Chenla was a former vassal of the Funan kingdom that was one of
the first state in Southeast Asia, but it gradually gained its power and
eventually King Citrasena Mahendravarman of Funan in the early 7th
century.
Main archaeological features in these groups
of monuments are said to have been founded by king ISANAVARMAN I, the son
of king Citrasena. |
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Many decorative details in Khmer architecture and
sculpture are classified as Sambor style: the name was derived from these
monuments dated in the first half of the 7th century.
Henceforth this kingdom was the leading state and comprised the whole of
Cambodia proper. Furthermore, several successions of kings’ reign might
have maintained these monuments as their capital city. The century
following the death of JAYAVARMAN I who is the last known king of this
kingdom in the second half of the 7th century is a dark period
in the history of Chenla. According to a Chinese accounts, in the 8th
century, the country of Chenla was divided into land and water Chenlas.
The obscurity prevails and this monument might be neglected thereafter.
The history. However, is traced again with the accession of JAYAVARMAN II,
who founded a new polity that is now referred as Angkor in the beginning
of 9th century. Decorative details of Prasat Tao (Central
Group) are similar to the style of the remains belong to the period of the
king JAYAVARMAN II, Particularly, characteristic lion statues resembles
the statues found in Phnom Penh. From these reasons this architectural
complex is said to be constructed in this period.
Furthermore some inscriptions in Prasat
Sambor (Northern Group) are dated in the 10th century under the
reign of the king RAJENDRA VARMANII. And Robang Romeas group that is
located about 2km northward from main temple area, contains other
inscriptions of the king SURYAVARMAN I period. Some other decorative
details and statues belong to the late Angkor period styles were confirmed
from these temples. These historical evidences suggest that these
monuments must have belonged to the important provincial principle city
after Pre Angkor period.
From above historical perspective, this
group of monuments is extremely significant not only for Cambodia but also
for the entire area of Southeast Asia, for they are the only remaining
sound architectural constructions that exemplify the architecture and
sculpture of the early period in sizable quantity.
Sambor Prei Kuk Group:
Sambor Prei Kuk cluttering sanctuaries were
located in Sambor Village, Kampong Cheuteal Commune, Prasat Sambor
District, Kampong Thom Provice. King Mahendravarman had reigned form 607
to 616, was a son of a king Sambor Prei Kuk style characterized the real
khmer telent. After right received influence and developed her own arts
sufficient to the modern development. Arts and civilization of Angkor was
the great achievement in Southeast Asia. The well-known city was called
Isanapura is presently located at Sambor Prei Kuk, Kampong Thom Province.
Sambor Prei Kuk is 25km north of Provincial Town of Kampong Thom. By
observation, there are 52 small and big sanctuaries are in fairly good
condition, the other 52 sanctuaries were fallen down and buried into the
ground, and then became small hills. The sanctuaries were built of brick
and limestone with the decoration of bas-relief on the scenery walls. The
foundation of sanctuary was made of laterite, false door, diamond column
and the sculptures were made of sandstone.
Prasat Sambor Group (Northern
Sanctuaries):
Northern sanctuary group comprised 11
sanctuaries separated from each other with the one at the middle, and had
two-wall rampart. The sanctuaries were built of brick and limestone and
carve in the beautifully real khmer style. These achievements certified
the real khmer talent, after received the influence from India. Khmer had
prepared her country and developed arts by herself. The every great
development was in Angkor civilization period. The sanctuary was built on
a rectangular hill (24m 21m or 25,200 square meters or 2.52 hectares).
The sanctuary comprised 14 temples (only 8
remains), and were surrounded by two-wall rampart. These temples were
constructed in various plans-square and octagonal shapes. The top of the
temple was carved in lotus petals of sandstone, but some parts were
cracked down and buried into the ground and the pile of bricks.
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Lion Temple Group:
Lion temple group comprise 18 temples with
two ramparts closed to the pond. The reasons why the people called Lion
Temple because on the tops of all stairs from the four directions, there
were sitting lions with forelegs standing up, hind-legs humbling down, its
head rose up and its mouse opened to the sanctuary.
The rampart outside made of laterite, had
328-meter length, 310-meter width and 101,650-square-meter surface.
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This rampart had Gopura in two-direction (East and West) entrances that are
connected by the other laterite ramparts. In between rampart 2 and 1, at
the Northeastern side near the rampart 1, there was a rectangular pond
(42.10m x 34.20m). The bottom of the pond spread by laterite and
surrounded by the stepped stairs. The small stairs of the Southern side
are made of sandstone.
Now the pond is empty during the dry season.
When we enter from the Eastern Gopura on either side of the road, we see
two sanctuary hills were built on high terrace with the tracks of the
round column made of laterite lining up in 0.40m height.
Prasat Yeai Poeun Group:
Prasat Yeai Poeun Group comprised a total of
22 sanctuaries (5 have octagonal shapes) with two wall rampart, and was
built of brick, masonry, laterite and sandstone in rectangular from in 7th
century (600-635) during the reign of Isanavarman I to dedicated to Shiva.
They were built on a hill with Gopura from the eastern and western
entrances joining to an outside laterite rampart. The inner rampart
reached by gateways from the four directions and joined to the brick
rampart carved in various clustering figures.
Along the sanctuary contained the eastern
and western Gopura joined to the laterite rampart (304m x 274m or 83,296
square-meter surface). Gopura contained framed door with diamond columns
and a lintel built of sandstone. Eastern Gopura contained a buried large
inscription (size: 2.41m x 0,9m x 0,15) inscribed with 17 lines of script.
This inscription was brought to be kept in Kampong Thom Museum.
Kroul Romeas Group:
Behind Kroul Romeas Group, there were four
more sanctuaries made of brick and built during the reign King Suryavarman
1(end of 11th century). These sanctuaries were built on a
rectangular hill, and faced to the East. One of sanctuaries was not
completely built yet, it was likely built in later period. The lintel was
carved in the form of bow without the modal. At the southeastern side,
there were two temples recognized as the original ancient khmer styles.
Phnom Santuk:
Since the ancient time to the present, Phnom
Santuk Mountain has been called in many names as below:
- Phnom Thom (in history)
- Phnom Arth Santuk (In history)
- Phnom Chorm Chong Kiri
- Phnom Krop Tuk
- Phnom Preah Bat Chann Tuk
The ancient heritages on the top of the
mountain:
- Many Buddha statues were carved from great
mountain rock including three big Buddha statues reaching Nirvana, each
has more than 10-meter length.
- Prasat Touch of pyramid shape, made of
sandstone, has three stories and three-meter height, and is located next
to the ancient wooden temple (presently, it is made of cement) with a
rectangular pond (10m x 4m).
- Preah Bat Chann Tuk statue was carved on
the stone shaped as food of a sacred human, and there are many other small
sculptures.
By the stories, the construction and the
statues were erected during the reign of Preah Ponhea Dharma Reacha
(1474-1494) and have been maintained until now.
Phnom Santuk has changed names to Chorn
Chong Kiri and Phnom Krop Tuk. Chan Dare or Chan Chare are called two
pieces of stone by local people that join all together in marked symbol
and made in small hole, the passenger arrived there, they always dropped
cash coins (ancient coins) into this small hole. When cash coins was
dropped in, it make soft weak voice like a voice of the birds sing or
music with happiness. So they did that since ancient period.
Preah Bat Chan Tuk or Buddha statue:
- Was built by King Ang Chan I (16th
century).
- King Baksei Chamkrong built a wooden
temple on Phnom San Tuk at the same year.
- Sculptures carved on large ancient stone
with many scenes of story.
- Buddha statue reaching Nirvanawas carved
on larges-stone since 16th century.
Prey Pros:
Prey Pros is a natural and cultural site
located at Prey Pros Village, Prey Preal Commune, Kampong Svay District in
approximate 16-km distance northwest of Provincial Town of Kampong. The
site cover an area of 2 million square meters and includes a river
(4,000-meter length and 30-meter width) which is rich in Domrei fish. The
site is a venue for foot races, bicycle races, and other games during
national festivals. In addition, the provincial tourists’ office has
organized other recreational activities such as boating, fishing and
swimming, and has built resting cottage where food and drinks are sold.
The view from Prey Pros is beautiful and enchanting, while the wind which
blows across the river will cool and refresh the hot and tired tourists.
Prasat Kuh Nokor:
Prasat Kuh Nokor is located in Trodoc Poung
Village, Pong Ror Commune, Baray District, Kampong Thom Province and is in
the complex of Wat Kuh Nokor (Buddhist Pagoda). To reach there, passenger
can take all kinds of vehicle on National Road 6, then turn west through
the gate of Kuh Nokor pagoda in a distance of 2km. It is 79km from
Provincial Town of Kampong Thom. These sanctuaries were built on the flat
ground, on a square terrace made of laterite and sandstone facing to the
East with the rampart surrounding. This rampart has a 35m-length (East to
West) and a 25m-width (North to South). There is surrounding rampart of
one meter height and 0.8 meter thick with two gateways: Eastern gateway is
9m height divided into 3 rooms, and western gateway is small and has
square shape.
The structures of the buildings are mixed,
made of laterite and the decoration of sandstone. East of the temple,
there are 2 ponds-the small one has about one-meter depth,45-meter length
and 20-meter width, and the big one has 160-meter length, 88-meter width
and more than one-meter depth.
Prasat Kuh Nokor comprises:
- The throne is square shape, made of
sandstone and decorated by lotus flowers and pointed-diamond style, and
has square hole at the middle.
- A male standing statue remains from thigh
to shoulder.
- A male standing statue remains from thigh
to the navel.
- A male coiling statue is difficult to be
identified as the statue broke the end of the arm and the sole of the foot
(local people called the statue ‘Neak Ta Bark Kor’.
Prasat Kuh Nokor was built in 10th
-11th century by the king Suryavarman I (1002-1050). But in the
same year (1002), another document said there was a king named Preah Bat
Jayviravarman who who was also on throne (1002-1010). The two kings
claimed that they were on throne at the same year, this leading to war
between king and king until 1006. Then the king Suryavarman I conquered
Yasodharpura city, however the war still lasted for 04 years to end. In
1010, the king Suryavarman I gained success over the entire territory and
had full power in the country.
Prasat Kok Rokar (Preah Theat):
Prasat Kok Rokar is located in Rokar Phum,
Srayov Commune, Stung Sen District, Kampong Thom province in a 14-km
distance from Provincial Town of Kampong Thom. The temple was built of
sandstone and laterite in Khleng style at the end of 11th
century during the reign of king Suryavarman I to dedicate to Siva.
This isolated sanctuary (dimension: 6m x 5m;
8m height) was built on the hill and faced to the east. The body of the
central temple has conical form with porches opening to the east, and a
door reached from the eastern entrance (three other doors were the false
doors). The diamond column has octagonal forms, and the three lintels have
various forms. Based on the study to the site, the sanctuary was formed in
rectangular shape. The outside rampart has 25m x 25m size and Gopura from
the four directions which jointed to the surrounding laterite rampart.
Outside the rampart, there were likely moats surrounded as we saw some
marks remain until now. In observation to the temple’s court, there were
lintels and inscriptions available at the surrounding. The lintels has
various style some in Sambor Prei Kuk, some in Prei Khmeng and some in
Kulen style etc. This didn’t mean that the artists built the mixed styles.
According to the elderly resident there said that during the French colony
in Cambodia, these ancient objects were brought from other temples to
gather here in preparing to break into small parts that would then be used
to pave the roads, but they didn’t construct the roads yet due to the war
happened in the Country that why these ancient objects remained there.
On the hill 1km from the temple, where they
held midnight ceremony every full moon day with making virgin girls
dancing around the fired place to pray for the rain. This ceremony could
be participated by virgin girls only.
Prasat Phum Prasat:
Located in Prasat Village, Prasat Commune,
Snatuk District, Kampong Thom Province. This temple located in a 27-km
district from Provincial Town of Kampong Thom, and there is road from the
southern direction of 500-meter length. This temple was built of brick,
masonry and sandstone in 8th century (706) with Kampong Preah
style to dedicate to Siva. It was a sanctuary built temple on the flat
terrace without the false door and faced to the east. In the ancient
period, the door were made by two wooden boards-one carved with sculptures
of male divinities at another one carved with female divinities. The
southern framed door was inscribed with five lines of inscription, and its
back was mostly erode. The lintel was ornamented by the garlands; the
diamond column we carved with carousing motifs; and the upper corner of
the temple contained the segments of Linga and Yoni. Southeast of the
temple, there were other two more temples (at present, they became the
small hills). South of the large temple, were was a hill called Toul
Samrong or Toul Nak Ta Samrong; and east of this hill, there was a Pou
tree in which the local people call Toul Nak Ta Deum Pou (the hill of the
body tree spirit). In ancient time, this place was the former royal palace
where the royal valuable were kept. Then it was excavated and the
valuables were taken away during the French colony. This sanctuary was in
seriously ruined condition, in 1996 the brick of the southern and western
towers dropped down due to the trees growing and the strong wind blowing
on them. Besides, there was lack of conservation and protection leading to
the serious damages caused by nature and aged existence at the sanctuary
especially by the ignorant people.
Closed against the sanctuary, where the
Buddhism monks constructed the new temple. This could caused the damages
to the ancient sanctuary. Beside the Prasat Phum Prasat, there was an
inscription buried into the ground which its upper part was inscribed with
six lines of Sanskrit scripts. This inscription was found at six
kilometers near the Police Post on National Road 6.
Prasat Andet Temple:
Prasat Andet is located northwest of
Provincial Town of Kampong Thom, in Prasat Village, Sankor Commune,
Kampong Svay District, Kampong Thom Province. The temple was built in
second half of 7th century (627-707) during the reign of king
Jayavarman I to dedicate to God Hirihara, in Kampong Preah style and made
of brick with masonry, laterite and sandstone. Prasat Andet had isolated
plan, built on a 5.30-meter height artificial hill, and was form in
rectangular shape with 7.50-meter length, 5.50-meter width and 1-meter
thick (interior to exterior). It was facing to the East. The lintel of
Prasat Andet was carved in the garlands and carefully done in the
traditional khmer style.
The coronet (2.22 lengths) was ornamented
around by the rings decorated, and at between of the rings we decorated
with garland and bulb flowers surrounded, which are joining each other by
the end of the decorations. In original former time, this temple contained
Harihara Statue standing on a decorative royal throne, and the statue was
brought to be kept at Phnom Penh National Museum. The Harihara statue is a
body side’s Siva and another body side’s Vinu. The framed door had 1 m
width, 2m height and 0.20m thick. On the northern framed door, we saw the
marks of a cloven hoof of tiger cat that used to go to the upper box of
the door, which remained the marks until now.
Bird Sanctuary of Boeng Tonle Chmar:
Boeng Chmar contains fishing lot 5 and lot
6, and is 30km far from Stoung District town of Kampong Thom Province,
there were villages of Nesat, Kamong Kdei, Svay Kor, Mo Doung, Kampong
Bradom and Msa Trang Tboung in Peam Bang Commune. The people living in
this area with floating houses that are moving up and down according to
the water levels in the jungle and flooded forest. The bird sanctuary of
Boeng Chmar covers a land area of 400 hectares having an interconnecting
network of water channels along the bank of Boeng Kla Lake, rich in
flooded forests. This area is connected by two big river tributaries (Stoung
and Stung Chik Kreng) flowing down to Boeng Chmar. Beong Chmar is the
sanctuary for many kinds of birds.
Stone Handicraft:
Located at Ka Kos Village, Ka Kos Commune,
Santhuk District in 16-km distance from Provincial Town of Kampong Thom on
National Road 6. The craftsmen take the rocks from the Santhuk mountain’s
foot to make statues and various figures for house decoration. This stone
handicraft is served for domestically and internationally target markets.
Beside stone handicraft, Kampong Thom has other handicraft like Krama,
Silk shirts, traditional khmer clothing and handbags.
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