Kompong Thom
From World travel guide
Kompong Thom is the capital of Kompong Thom Province in Cambodia. It's situated about half-way between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and thus most travellers will only rush through on there transfer between these to major attractions.
Nevertheless it is a pleasant and relaxed place and a good starting point for exploring the countryside and the temples of Sambor Prei Kuk.
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Get in
Buses, minibuses (~8000 Riel) and shared taxis (~12000 Riel) connect from Phnom Penh. The same selection of transport should be available from Siem Reap.
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Get around
The town is easily explored by foot. There are motorbike-taxis for hire to take you to more distant sights.
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See
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Do
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Buy
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Eat
- In the evening, a small night market pitches stalls just in front of the market hall.
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Drink
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Sleep
- At the bus stop, walk away from the main street along the little side side street for a minute, there are two simple but quiet guesthouses in traditional Khmer-houses with reasonable prices.
- Around the bus stop there are several guesthouses which apparently double as brothels in the evening.
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Get out
- Sambor Prei Kuk
Hire a moto-taxi to take you to the complex. It's an approx. 2 hours ride through nice scenery and small villages with friendly inhabitants. The Pre-Angkorian site dates back to the beginning of the 7th century and was the capital of the Chenla-Kingdom. Unlike Angkor, the temples are constructed from brick and sandstone. The complex consists of three main groups: Central Group, South Group, North Group, all covered by shady forest. - Kompong Thom is the starting point for an adventurous tour to the seldom visited jungle plains of northern cambodia. This 3-4 days motorbike ride to Preah Vihear is offered by some of the moto-taxi drivers, who will propose it to you once they spot you getting off the bus. With you sitting on the back of the bike, your driver will take you through peaceful villages and rice paddies, passing by friendly locals, spending a night with a local family and visiting the temples of Preah Khan Kompong Thom and Koh Ker on your way. A part of the journey leads you along an old Angkorian road and over its ancient bridges. The ride itself is hardship, skidding over sticks and stones, through sand oceans and bamboo forest, sometimes fording small rivers. From Preah Vihear, you will head to Siem Reap via Anlong Veng, the place where Pol Pot is said to have died.
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External links
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