Tboung Khmum Province

Tboung Khmum Province is located on the central lowlands of the Mekong River. It borders Kampong Cham Province to the west, Kratié Province to the north, Prey Veng province to the south, shares an international border with Vietnam to the east, with a total area of ​​5,250.51 square kilometers. The provincial capital is Suong City.

In fact, Tboung Khmum province is not a new province as the name Tboung Khmum district or province first appeared in a post-Angkor inscription (IMA.37) carved on the wall of the north wing of the eastern pavilion “រោងទង” of Angkor Wat. This inscription was carved by a man named Jayananda “ជយនន្ទ” in 1701. In the same inscription, it describes the event in which the king issued a royal decree granting him the title of Warlord (ស្តេចក្រាញ់) “Aor Joon (អរជូន)” to control the territory of Tboung Khmum province.

Until the early 19th century, there were some documents such as the Royal Genealogy, literary works​ of the Tum Teav story and the Luang Preah Sdach Kan story, which is a historical legend, as well as many other historical documents in both Khmer and Foreign languages, and most of the documents in French were written about the name Tboung Khmum district or province.

When Cambodia was under the French protectorate between 1863 and 1953, there were documents written about the creation of provinces, districts, khans, communes, and villages. Kampong Cham Province was officially established on January 1, 1885, and a French official named Francois Baudoin was in charge of the Khmer provincial governor. Kampong Cham Province once divided into ten districts: Kampong Siem, Krouch Chmar, Prey Chhor, Cheung Prey, Kang Meas, Koh Sotin, Srey Santhor, Memot, Stung Trang, and Tboung Khmum. Administrative reforms under the French protectorate continued, especially during the reigns of King Ang Duong and King Norodom.

In 1897, Tboung Khmum was elevated from a district to a province, which at that time had 57 provinces, but Kampong Cham Province did not exist. In 1917, the number of provinces was reduced again, from 57 to 51, and Tboung Khmum remained a province. Until the 1920s, there was another administrative restructuring, and at that time only 13 provinces were retained, with Tboung Khmum, which had previously been a province, being transformed into a district of Kampong Cham province. Since then, we have not seen any further changes, until 31 December 2013, when the Royal Government of Cambodia decided to elevated Tboung Khmum into a province again, as it used to be in more than 100 years ago.

Regarding to the historical heritage on the territory of Tboung Khmum province, there are both tangible and intangible heritages, such as Banteay Ku or Phum Moul “បន្ទាយគូ ឬភូមិមូល”, cemeteries, daily necessity objects, religious buildings, water storage structures, etc., which were created by people thousands of years ago. As for intangible cultural heritage, there are many forms that has continued to live with the people, such as literary works and various legends, some of which are related to the origin of the territory and the name of the province, which are still in the memory of the locals. When they try to fabricate these​ legends, it is totally not wrong because all of these things are done within the framework of respect and are part of preserving the heritage. Through some scenes of those stories, we observe that some villages, communes, and districts have been named according to the story and have become official names until today.

The people of Tboung Khmum are primarily Khmers, with the majority of the population practicing Theravada Buddhism. The culture in Tboung Khmum is similar to other rural parts of Cambodia, with strong traditions in dance, music, and crafts. Festivals such as Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben are widely celebrated, and the province’s agricultural life is often depicted in local festivals and customs. Tboung Khmum is also home to various historical and cultural sites, such as temples and ancient monuments. These sites serve as reminders of the province’s deep historical roots and the resilience of its people over centuries of change.

Present day, Tboung Khmum is divided into 6 administrative districts and 1 municipality, Suong City. The province has one international border gates, called Trapaing Phlong checkpoints; two bilateral gates called Dar and Tonle Cham. With over 776,000 people (As of 2019), the province is Cambodia’s 15^th area and the eighth most populous.

History

Tboung Khmum is one of Cambodia’s 25 provinces, located in the southeastern part of the country. Bases on the remaining evidence on the territory of province, it can be clear that this province is not different from other provinces of Cambodia. It shows and reflects the foundation of ancient and different civilizations since prehistory to the later era. These archaeological sites have become an important national cultural heritage with potential for archaeological research, history, art, religion, and are also the attractive tourist destinations.

Pre-History or Early History Period

Before it became a province in its own right, Tboung Khmum was part of Kampong Cham, one of Cambodia’s largest and oldest provinces. The region’s history dates back to the pre-Angkorian era, and it is believed that it was home to various local kingdoms and communities. Kampong Cham, which included what is now Tboung Khmum, has long been an important area due to its fertile land and proximity to the Mekong River. The region has a rich agricultural tradition, especially rice farming and rubber plantations, which have been key to its economy for centuries.

Archaeological research and other related documents have clearly confirmed that the origin of the Tboung Khmum territory dates back to prehistoric times, around 1,000 years before Christ Era, which people settled in groups or communities. In fact, excavations at the Banteay Kou or Phum Moul station (Cicular Earthwork) “បន្ទាយគូ ឬភូមិមូល” in Ponhea Krek and Memot districts have found: pottery, stone tools, wooden knitting awls “ខ្នារថ្ពិចអំបោះ”, stone balls “គ្រាប់លុញ”, stone bracelets, stone beads “អង្កាំថ្ម”, etc. Excavations at the cemetery in Veal Mlou commune, Ponhea Krek district have found jars, pots, stone tools, bronze and iron jewelry, glass beads, glass earrings, knives, spears, etc. At the hill station, which locals call “Phnom Ampeng” or “Tul Ampeng Tie” (ភ្នំអំបែង” ឬ “ទួលអំបែងចេះ) in Prartheat commune of Oraing Ov district and Thma Pich commune of Tboung Khmum district, they have also found remains of daily use items, such as jars, pots, and stone tools, etc.

Research documents from the mid-19^th century show that the remnants of ancient architecture in Tboung Khmum province were built from the late 6^th century A.D. Most of these remnants mostly are found in the lowland between the main river on the west and the red soil plateau on the east. Based on the study if architectural layouts and inscriptions, researchers have divided them into three major periods: pre-Angkorian, Angkorian, and post-Angkorian. Pre-Angkorian and Angkorian buildings were generally made of stone to honor both Hinduism and Buddhism. Only in the post-Angkorian period, religious buildings, formerly stone temples, have been transformed into wooden pagodas, where they are inhabited by monks and lay people, as well as the transit area by the local.

Most pre-Angkorian remnants are concentrated in the lowlands far from the Tonle Thom, between Banteay Prei Nokor and Preah Theat Srei Temples, and there are standalone structures near the Mekong River (Tonle Thom) tributaries. Some of the buildings​ remain only towers, some remain only foundations, and some remains only fragments of construction material and inscriptions, which were later preserved in other locations. Some of the buildings were built during the transition period between the Funan and Chenla Periods, and mostly dedicated to Hinduism. George Cœdès noted that there were two pre-Angkorian architectural structures: Funan period and pre-Angkorian period. Most temples are built in the central and southern parts of the country and rarely have specific dates. The temples have no false doors and are small registers, as well as small in size. In some temples, statutes from different eras are upheld. As for the construction of the temple, it has been observed that it has been renovated and maintained or continued to be worshiped for many generations. In fact, the temple of Preah Theat Thom was built during the reign of King Bhavavarman I (ព្រះបាទភវវរ្ម័យទី១) and was subsequently renovated and expanded on the old temple. As for Preah Theat Preah Srey Temple, the found Inscription K.102 mentions that in the 6^th century, King Isavarman I traveled to the area near the Preah Theat Preah Srei and offered land, buffaloes, and some servants to the area. According to this inscription, George Cœdès concluded that there may have been one or two building prior to Preah Theat Preah Srei.

Meanwhile, the remaining pre-Angkor temples and architectural structures include: Preah Theat Preah Srei Temple (Preah Theat Basrei) built in the 6th century, Khnai Van Temple built in the 6th-7th centuries, Preah Theat Temple built in 655, Dam Rel Temple, Preah Theat Sram Temple, Toul Yay Tep (ancient mound), and Lintel of Wat Daun Ratnr.

The art works, religious construction, as well as the remaining inscriptions on the area of Tboung Khmum are sources of features of Angkorian Civilization. In particular, at the beginning of the Angkor period, between the late 8th and early 9th centuries, King Jayavarman II founded a city in the territory of present-day Tboung Khmum in Daun Tei Commune, Ponhea Krek District, called “Indrapura (ឥន្ទ្របុរៈ)” as his first capital before moving to the Angkor area, Siem Reap. Many researchers also believe that the capital of Indrapura may be located in the area of Banteay Prei Nokor. During this period, a serie of events happened. And it is not only foreign researchers concluded like this, but Khmer people in the 9^th to 11^th centuries also remembered that event. Because between the three centuries, there are many inscriptions that record the King’s coronation activities and the first capital of Jayavarman II before the Angkor region.

Inscription Sdok Kak Thom (K.235) inscribed in 1,052 A.D. mentions that in the late of 8^th century, Jayavarman II, who was related to the King of Vyadhapura (present-day Ba Phnom), came from Java Island to reign at Indrapura, which was the first of the five capitals. After the unification, the King moved the city to the east and ordered to built a district called “Kodi(កុដិ)”​ for the family. The next capital is Hariharalaya “ហរិហរាល័យ”; then is Amarendrapura “អមរិន្ទ្របុរ”; and lastly, he ascended to the throne at Mahendraparvata “មហេន្ទ្របវ៌ត (ភ្នំគូលែន)” in 802 A.D. In the area of Banteay Prei Nokor, there are temples of Preah Theat Thom, which the remaining two towers have different artworks. The small southern tower was built during the transition between the Funan and the early Chenla periods, and the northern tower was built during the reign of Jayavarman II. The temple of Preah Theat Touch (Stupa 3) built between the 6^th and 7^th centuries. Therefore, we can assume that Indrapura or Banteay Prei Nokor is built on an area where there is existing temple. In conclusion, we observe that the ancient sites in the Angkorian period, such as religious buildings remnants of villages, transport infrastructure and water reservoirs, etc., some of which remain in shapes, some of which remain only foundations, and some are almost completely damaged. Today, there are total 95 ancient structures in Tboung Khmum province, of which 18 temples are still in shape, 55 are temple compounds, 11 are water reservoirs, and 1 is an ancient road.

Post-Angkor Period

Around second-half of the 16^th century, two major historical events, which are in the memory of the local people; and are recorded in the royal genealogy, chronicles, Chinese accounts, writing of European missionary, and literacy text and some legends, occurred.

First, during the reign of Luang Preah Sdech Korn, the capital of Banteay Prey Nokor was built in 1514, today called “Prey Nokor Khnong” in Chanlak Daun Tei Village of Tboung Khmum Province, under the name “Krong Sralob Pichey Banteay Prey Nokor” or “Krong Sralob Daun Tey Prey Nokor Bavor Khin (ក្រុងស្រឡប់ពិជ័យបន្ទាយព្រៃនគរ” ឬ “ក្រុងស្រឡប់ដូនតីព្រៃនគរបវររាជធានី)”. Second, the story of Tum Teav, which highlights many stories related to the territory of Tboung Khmum province in the late 16th century, with the Warlord Aor Joon as the ruler of Tboung Khmum. The story of Tum Teav has been etched in the minds of people from all walks of life to this day.

It should be noted that before the French rule, the entire Khmer territory was divided into areas called “Dei (meaning land)” in ancient Khmer, and each “land” consisted of 6 to 10 provinces, directly controlled by the Uparaj or Vice King “ព្រះរាជាឧបរាជ្យ” and the queen mother “ព្រះរាជមាតា”. Later, each “Dei” under the control of the royal family, was given by the king to a high-ranking official who at that time had the title “Warlord or Viceroy”, as the ruler. In fact, during the reign of King Srey Thammaraja “ព្រះបាទស្រីធម្មរាជា” (1629-1630), five Warloads were appointed to control five territories: Tboung Khmum controlled by Oknha Aor Joon, Kampong Svay controlled by Oknha Techo, Traeng “ទ្រាំង” controlled by Oknha Pisnuk Lok, Pursat controlled by Oknha Sour Kea Lok, and Ba Phnom controlled by Oknha Thamma Techo.

Colonial Period

During the French colonial period (1863–1953), Cambodia was part of French Indochina, Tboung Khmum was administratively included in the region. Like much of Cambodia, the area saw the introduction of French economic practices, infrastructure development (such as roads and railroads), and the establishment of plantations, particularly rubber. The Mekong River was also vital for transport and trade, connecting this area with other parts of Cambodia and Vietnam.

During the reign of King Ang Duong, the warload became more and more powerful as they were in charge of all the provincial governors in the territory they occupied. But these powers moved the warlord to expand their influence day by day on their occupied land. Such an event caused concern to the King Ang Duong due to the warlords might revolt against his orders at some point. To avoid danger to the throne, the King gradually began to relinquish power from the royal families and warlords, and handed over power to high-ranking officials whom were loya to him as rulers. Therefore, in the early of 19^th century, the warlords lost their power over their former governed land, and only held high honors position over the governer.

Between 1850s and 1860s, before the French colonization of Cambodia, a number of significant political events took place in Tboung Khmum province. In 1858, the Cham and Malay living in Tboung Khmum, led by Tuon Suo, Tuon Ith and Tuon Him, revolted againt the Cambodian Govenrment. Upon receiving this news, King Ang Duong led the army directly along Tonle Thom to Peam Chi Laing. Finally, the rebels were completely suppressed. Tuon Su was killed and Tuon Ith and Tuon Him escaped to Chov Duk. Most of Chams and Malays in Tboung Khmum were relocated to Pursat, Long Vek, Kampong Luong and other places.

In 1861, Prince Vutha, the third son of King Ang Duong, sought to seize power from his two eldest sons, Prince Norodom and Prince Sisowath. At that time, Prince Vutha conquered Tboung Khmum province and fought against King Norodom, who had not been ascended the throne yet but had been king for two years. King Norodom sent troops to confront a man named Snong Sor, who was staying in Ba Phnom province, where he led a rebel faction of Prince Vutha. Supporters of Prince Vutha have caused unrest in the country, especially south of the river. Soldiers fighting in Tboung Khmum were ordered to move troops to liberate the king in Phnom Penh. In the end, the insurgency was suppressed throughout the country, except in Kampong Siem province, where the insurgents continued their unyielding activities. But later, in cooperation with the Europeans, the government completely suppressed the remaining insurgents. In 1863, King Norodom agreed to sign French Protectorated of Cambodia in order to maintain political stability and security in the country, and he was attended the coronation in 1864 with the help of a high-ranking French official.

After the country fell under French rule, a new uprising was occurred in Tboung Khmum. In 1868, Ah Chraeng, a former insurgent leader, led his party to invade Tboung Khmum to recruit people and confiscate livestock as a means of strengthening and expanding his insurgency. In 1872, Ah Chraeng started to revolt again, but was forced to flee into the forest due to the repression of the government and the people.

After hiding for 15 years, Prince Vutha reappeared in Tboung Khmum in 1876. In February 1877, French troops arrived at Koh Sotin by boat and proceeded to Ba Phnom. At that time, the situation in both Ba Phnom and Tboung Khmum was calm, with the rebels no longer active. But then a new insurgency broke out at Tboung Khmum carrying out by King Vutha. The revolt was not successful at that time, and the prince entered the monkhood. Since then, there is no information about him was found until 1885.

During French protection, France completely abolished the land division “ការបែងចែកដី” and reorganized into a new province. France then established residences in each province to maintain social order, financial and technical management, especially to manage the collection of taxes from Cambodian farmers. Kampong Cham Province was established on January 1, 1885, ruled by a French official named François Bodain, who later became a senior official of the French Protectorate in Cambodia. At that time, there were ten districts in Kampong Cham province: Kampong Siem, Krouch Chhmar, Prei Chhor, Cheung Prei, Kang Meas, Koh Sotin, Srey Santhor, Memot, Stung Trang and Tboung Khmum districts. At the same time, there was an uprising of Cambodians throughout the country protesting against French’s oppression and order. The economic situation at that time deteriorated and the king was imprisoned in the royal palace. Later on, the French administration diminished its influence and strength and asked the help from the King to prevent and end the uprising against France. And, France agreed to implement the 1884 Treaty. The above reasons prompted the French government to immediately reform its central administration, behave differently and carry out all the matters in Cambodia with greater caution. Following these protests, the French Protrectorate Government reduced the number of residences to four or five across the country.

Mr. Étienne François Aymonier came to Cambodian in 1869 as a member of the French Protectorate Fleet. By 1873, he became the representative of the French Protectorate in Phnom Penh. This important role required hom to travel to villages and districts in all parts of Cambodia and even encouraged him to study about Khmer Culture and Civilization through the transition of manuscripts and inscriptions at the temples. As mentioned earlier, the Tum Teav legend is one of the famous Khmer novels that impressed Mr. Étienne François Aymonier. Therefore, to find out more about the legend story, he traveled to Tboung Khmum district in 1883 and then translated Legend Story of Tum Teav into French in 1888, incorporating much of the information he had gathered during his mission.

Since the end of the 19th century, administrative reforms have been done frequent, especially during the reigns of King Ang Duong and Norodom, which administrative structures were overhauled, requiring the creation of 57 new provinces, as well as a division of leadership structure at the provincial, district and commune levels. Despite the creation of the province, in the minds of Cambodians still understand that the district is bigger than the province. That is why most locals remains called the province as district, despite the change.

In 1897, with the support of the Council of Ministers in Paris, the French protectorate in Cambodia sent French officials to govern and control each of the Khmer provinces. At that time, Kampong Cham was no longer a province, it was merged with other provinces, which were the former districts of Kampong Cham. Since then, the French protectorate asked the Khmer governors who ruled each province to create a map showing the size of their territory. Among the 57 provinces, only 54 have hand-drawn maps showing the extent of villages, districts, and key locations in the province, including Tboung Khmum. Tboung Khmum province at that time had more than 300 villages. Most of villages retain their names to this day and some villages simply change the original script to the current script. But some villages have completely disappeared and some new villages have just been established. Due to personal interests, the administration reforms were still in a state of disarray and the boundaries between the provinces were not yet clearly defined.

The administration of Tboung Khmum, which dates back to 1898, is very complicated due to the interference from the central administrative system to the role and authority of the local-level administration. To achieved an effective local-level administration, Tboung Khmum province is divided into four parts:

• Right Tboung Khmum: From Krouch Chhmar district to the border of Chhlong district of Kratie province. The administrative affairs in the territory of this division are administered by one person and the role is to report on the situation and issues arising in the territory under its responsibility to the Minister of War.
• Left Tboung Khmum: Extends from Peam Chi Laing to the border of Srey Santhor Province and is the only area that is under the direct control of the Governor of Tboung Khmum Province, then known as “Oknha Ar Joon”.
• Tboung Khmum Prey Leu: Located in an area of ​​Vietnam. The administrative work in Tboung Khmum Prey Leu is managed by two people, both of whom are responsible for managing and overseeing the people who are obliged to pay taxes to the Viceroy and other officials in Phnom Penh.
• Tboung Khmum Prey Krom: It is bordered by some areas such as Romeas Hek, Romduol, Prey Veng and Tai Ninh of Vietnam, and the administration and management of this area is divided between the officials in some small institutions according to the actual situation.

In the aftermath of World War II, the French Protectorate administration reformed its leadership structure throughout Indochina. Particularly, in Cambodia, the Central Administration of the French Protectorate decided to restructure its management structure, changing the number of provinces from 57 in 1897 to 51 in 1917. We observe that the 43 provinces that existed since 1897 were retained in 1917. 14 provinces were lost in 1897, and 8 were re-established in 1917.

After the reform following the Royal Order, dated 11 December 1921, Khmer provinces were reduced to only 13, which equal to the number of French Residences whom administrated those provinces. At that time, there is no Siem Reap province, because this province is a district of Battambang province. While, Tboung Khmum became a district of Kampong Cham province. This reform was not only carried out at the provincial level, but also at the lower levels, with the creation of quarters in each province in addition to the existing structure. The management structure in each province is composed of provincial governor, district governor, quarter governor, commune chief, and is accompanied by subordinate officials such as Balat Khet or deputy provincial governor, Balat Srok or Deputy district governor, Balat Khan or Deputy Khan governor, Assistant to the commune chief “ជំទប់”, secretary “ស្មៀន”, and messenger.

Independence and Conflict Period

Following Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953, Kampong Cham continued to be an important province in the country. However, the period of the Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979) had a profound impact on the region. Tboung Khmum, like many other parts of Cambodia, suffered greatly during this time. The Khmer Rouge sought to dismantle the traditional social and economic structures, targeting intellectuals, professionals, and perceived enemies of the regime. The genocide and subsequent human suffering left deep scars on the province and the country as a whole.

Modern Day

Since then, the territorial administration system has been continuously divided and adjusted, for example, Tboung Khmum province was moved from Tboung Khmum area or land to Tboung Khmum district and Tboung Khmum province, back and forth. Finally, as part of an administrative reorganization to improve governance and administrative efficiency, the Royal Government decided to transform it into Tboung Khmum province according to Royal Decree No. NS/RKT/1213/1445 dated December 31, 2013, separating from Kampong Cham province and officially announcing its launch on June 2, 2014.Tboung Khmum became a new province, with its capital called Suong. Presently, the province covers an area of approximately 5,250.51 square kilometers and has a population of over 776,000 people.

The province is geographically situated along the Mekong River, which plays a significant role in both its economy and culture. Tboung Khmum is primarily agricultural, with rice, rubber, and other crops being the mainstays of the local economy. The region also has a large rural population, and while it is not as urbanized as other provinces like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, it is still an important agricultural hub.

In recent years, Tboung Khmum has also become more prominent in Cambodia’s development agenda, with investments in infrastructure, education, and agriculture. The province’s proximity to Phnom Penh, the capital, has made it a focus for economic development projects, particularly in the areas of farming and trade.

Dignitaries who were former governors of Tboung khmum since 2014

There were 4 Governors of Tboung Khmum Province from 2014-Present, including:

1. H.E.  Brach Chan (ឯកឧត្តម ប្រាជ្ញ ចន្ទ) 2014-2017
2. H.E. Ly Leng (ឯកឧត្ដម លី ឡេង) 2017-2018
3. H.E. Cheam Chansophoan (ឯកឧត្តម ជាម ច័ន្ទសោភ័ណ) 2018-2024
4. H.E. Pen Kosal (ឯកឧត្តម ប៉ែន កុសល្យ) 2024-Present

Geography

Tboung Khmum province is located in the southeastern part of Cambodia, bordered by several important provinces and situated along the Mekong River, which plays a central role in the region’s geography and economy. The province is primarily rural, with a combination of flat plains, wetlands, and riverine environments. Below is a detailed breakdown of the geographic features of Tboung Khmum province:

Topography: The topography of Tboung Khmum is characterized by plateau, flat plains, riverine land, and some low-lying hills. The vast majority land of the province is a plateau covered by red soil that formed by a series of volcanic eruptions. The terrain conditions generally fluctuate as a result of the earth’s crust millions of years ago. From one plateau to another is separated by valleys. And in those valleys, there are small stream with water coming out of the ground throughout the year. Some streams flow from north to south, while others flow from east to west before reaching the Mekong River, depending on the terrain. Other parts of the province are slopes and lowlands between the red plateau and the Mekong River, which is a type of sandy soil. Some low-laying areas, especially those along the Mekong River, are flooded during the rainy season. The fertile alluvial soil deposited by the Mekong River supports extensive rice cultivation and agriculture. Red soil area is located east of the Mekong River in Tboung Khmum, from Chub, Thmor Pech, Ta Pav, Peam Chaing to Kreak, Memot, with a height of 50 to 200 meters above the sea level. Red Soil of this area is rich of iron, causing the Laterite. Besides, the area also riches of Basalt which buried under the red soil.

Water Bodies: The Mekong River is the dominant watercourse in Tboung Khmum, flowing through the province from north to south. Several of its tributaries and smaller rivers run through the province, providing crucial irrigation for agricultural activities and facilitating trade and transport. The river also creates wetlands and areas of seasonal flooding that play an important role in the province’s ecology and farming patterns.

Climate: Tboung Khmum experiences a tropical monsoon climate, typical of much of Cambodia. The climate is divided into two main seasons: The province receives heavy rainfall during this period (May to October), with average annual precipitation ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 mm. The Mekong River and its tributaries swell, leading to seasonal flooding in some areas. During the dry season (November to April), temperatures can reach over 35°C, and rainfall is minimal. This season is crucial for harvesting rice and other crops that are planted during the wet season.

Natural Resources, Vegetation and Land Use: Tboung Khmum’s economy is largely based on agriculture. The fertile plains along the Mekong River are ideal for cultivating rice, which is the primary crop in the province. In addition to rice, other crops grown include corn, cassava, pepper,​ cashew, vegetables, and fruits (including rambutan, mangosteen, durian, and jackfruit, etc.). The province also has substantial rubber plantations (since 1950s), which have been a growing industry in recent years. The province has some forested areas, though these have been under pressure due to logging and land conversion for agriculture. The forests are home to a range of wildlife, including various bird species, reptiles, and mammals.

Administrative divisions

As of 2020, the province is divided into 1 municipality (Krong) and 06 districts (Srok), 02 Sangkat and 62 communes (Khum), and 875 villages. Based on Population Census of 2019, the total population is 766,941 people (female 398,751), the number of households is 169,281 households, and the density is 148 people/km². Suong municipality is the seat of government, commonly known Krong Suong or Suong City.

1. Suong Municipality (02 Sangkat)
2. Dombae District (7 Khum)
3. Krouch Chhmar District (12 Khum)
4. Mémot District (14 Khum)
5. O Raing Ov District (7 Khum)
6. Ponhea Krék District (8 Khum)
7. Tboung Khmum District (14 Khum)

The provincial symbol is decaled by Ministry of Interior via a Prakas No.2599 BrK dated 22 June 2020 on the Establishment of Tboung Khmum Province Symbol. The provincial symbol has developed base on four factors such as Geography, Environment and nature, History, and Legend. The symbol is highlighting the potential of the province and reflect the identity of this province through the cultural, historical and natural resources that exist on the territory of the province today.

• General Forms of Symbols: The symbol is rounded with a double brown line, large outside, small inside and separated by a white surface. The interior is light brown, separated by a hexagonal white line representing bee stings. In the center is a brown trophy. The upper part has a blue letter “Tboung Khmum Province”. The underside of the trophy is adorned with Angkorian carvings, with a green surface accented with white carvings.
• Circle: The surrounding double-decker line represents the prehistoric site “Banteay Kou or Moul Village”. The large outer line represents the outer wall, while the small inner line represents the mound around the Moat or Ditch, which some call the inner wall. The white line separated the two brown lines represent the Moat. According to archeological research, the “Banteay Koo or Moul Village” station has been inhabited since 1000 BC. Banteay Kou was found mostly in red soil area in Memot and Ponhea Krek districts of Tboung Khmum province, and some in red soil area in Snuol district, Kratié province, as well as in red soil area of ​​Vietnam. French researcher, Bernard Phillies, has named the station and the objects found in the area “Memot Civilization”, the oldest civilization in the Red Land in Southeast Asia.
• Interior: The interior represents beeswax and honey. The most valuable bee product that beekeepers craving for is the “honey head”, a collection of honey that is both sweet and delicious and use as medicinal. If referring to the word “Kabal” or “Kbal (head)” is a Sanskrit word corresponding to the Khmer word “Tboung (gem)”. So, the word “honey head” that we use today is probably the locals call it “bee gem (amber) or Tboung Khmum”. On the other hand, bees belong to a group of insects that live in groups that are patient and diligent, and have good unity. Therefore, the inclusion of bees in this symbol also wants to show the symbol of enduring and unity as a whole. Honey is a symbol of sweet living in the community as well as society as a whole.
• The trophy in the middle: The most important statue in the center, chosen as the symbol of Tboung Khmum province, is the “ancient trophy” made of terracotta (pottery) found during the excavation at Banteay Kou station in the Krek rubber plantation in 1998. If you look at the trophy, it looks like the trophy used today. Based on the results of the analysis determining the age of many antiques that locate in the same depth as the trophy, it is more than 3,000 years old. The trophy is used to place valuables, scriptures, rules, offerings to the gods, or high objects for the king. Thus, the trophy is a symbol of knowledge, exaltation and holiness.
• Blue letter “Tboung Khmum Province”: A round typeface that evolved from the Angkorian Khmer script. From the post-Angkorian period (14th / 15th century), this round letter was often used to write on various manuscripts or scrolls. This letter is still popular today.
• A vine in Kbach Angkor or Angkor Art: An ornamental vine under the trophy is a type of art called “Kbach Angkor or Angkor Art”. This art sees the Khmer ancestors carving and decorating the temples and shrines and continues uninterrupted from ancient times to the present day. The decorations are made from nature, especially plants with stems, leaves, fruits and so on. Thus, art is not only a decorative element, but also a sign of growth, yield, natural resources and prosperity in society. Therefore, the Angkorian art presented in this symbol symbolize the bridge between the glorious civilization from the past to the present and as a symbol of agro-industry such as rubber, cassava, cashew and pepper, which is the economic potential of the province.
• Color: The two-tier round circles the outside of the symbol is brown, representing the red soil area of ​​Tboung Khmum province. The surface of the small hexagonal symbol is imitated from the beehive. The trophy in the center is highlighted by the color of the soil, representing the red soil of Tboung Khmum province and the original color of the pottery. The letter “Tboung Khmum” has a blue background, representing both freedom and the monsoon climate. The green vine in Angkor art represents the potential of the province’s agro-industrial crops, such as pepper, especially rubber, which is considered “white gold on red soil”.

Accessibility

• Road: Tboung Khmum is accessible via several major national roads, including National Road 7 and National Road 13, which connect it to Phnom Penh (the capital) and other provinces. These roads are generally in decent condition but may be affected by seasonal weather, so road conditions can vary, especially in rural areas. Many of the provincial roads are less developed but are being improved as part of ongoing infrastructure projects. Rural areas may have less reliable roads, which could be difficult to navigate during the rainy season.

Tourism Products

Tboung Khmum province, while still developing as a tourism destination, offers a variety of tourism products that highlight its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and rural way of life. These products appeal primarily to eco-tourists, cultural travelers, and those seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences in Cambodia. Below is an overview of the main tourism products in Tboung Khmum:

Traditional fishing ceremony in Trapaing Krom Lake “ពិធីចាប់ត្រីបែបបុរាណក្នុងបឹងត្រពាំងក្រម” ៖ the people of Satum village have been celebrating this ceremony for over 200 years. After the harvest season in December or January, local people arrange this traditional ceremony to thank the gods of earth and water who gave them sufficient water and weather that year. This ceremony is held every year in February for 4 days and 3 nights, from 15, 16, 17 and 18 February. On the first three days, People will dance, sing, and play games every night, while on the last day people will go fishing and share their catch. For fishing, people can only use traditional fishing equipment such as: Angrut “អង្រុត” (type of fish trap in the shape of a basket with a hole at the small end), Chhneang “ឈ្នាង” (large rattan or bamboo fish trap in which the fish are scooped up), Trork ”ត្រក” (type of hand basket made of bamboo or red strips/woven basket), Truu “ទ្រូ” (Kind of fishing instruments consisting of a long round cage made of bamboo strips and tapering at both ends), Lorb “លប” (kind of cylindrical fish trap), Chhnok “ឆ្នុក” (kind of large fish trap consisting of a square net mounted on a bamboo framework which can be lowered into the water). Located at Satum village, Choam Kravien commune, Memot district, Tboung Khmum province, the Lake has an area of approximately 30 hectares and a lake surface area of 1 hectare.

Cheung Ang Temple “ប្រាសាទជើងអង” ៖ Located at Cheung Ang village, Kandaol Chrum commune, Ponhea Kraek district, Tboung Khmum province, this ancient temple was built during the reign of King Jayavarman IV during the 10th century (912-942) in the Koh Keh architectural style to worship of the Hindu god Shiva. The temple was made of brick with sandstone doorframe in an open area.

French Lighthouse “តួប៉ម” ៖ it is one of the French lighthouses built during French colonialization. It is one of the major European architecture examples in Cambodia that has a very interesting appearance. On the top of the lighthouse, visitors can enjoy the view of the Kompong Cham city and the Mekong River, especially nice for watching sunsets. It is located at Prek Touch village, Chiro 1 commune, Tboung Khmum district, Tboung Khmum province

Luong Preah Sdach Kan “រមណីដ្ឋានវប្បធម៌ប្រវត្តិសាស្រ្ត ហ្លួងព្រះស្តេចកន” ៖ Sdach Kan was known as Srei Chettha II in the 16th century. Luong Preah Sdach Kan, which is located in the Prey Ang Sdach Kan pagoda, is a historical site. There is a statue of Sdach Kan on the horse with his bow. It is said that Kan dethroned the king and created a dynasty. The site is located at Norkor Khnong village, Dountei commune, Ponhea Kraek district, Tboung Khmum province, about 16.5 kilometers from Suong city via National Road 7.

Memot Archaeological Museum “សារមន្ទីរបុរាណវិទ្យាមេមត់”, which was built at the end of 1999, is located in Memot district. It officially opened on 30 November 2002 under the support of Heinrich-Boell-Foundation of Germany.

Prasat Kok Preah Theat Ponnreay “ប្រាសាទគោកព្រះធាតុពណ្ណរាយ” ៖ Located at Ponnareay village, Sangkat Suong, Suong city, Tboung Khmum province, it is a historical and cultural site that is known as tourist attraction. The square-shaped temple was​ made of laterite on the laterite foundation, and facinf west with the front yard. There are two ponds on either side of the entrance road from the west. This road leads to another pond, around 300 meters west of the temple. The temple is in a very dilapidated condition, situated in the middle of a cassava field and covered with vines. This temple may have been one of Dharmasals (A house of fire or house with fire is the name given to a place where people, especially pilgrims, can rest on a journey. It is a type of building found in Angkorian complexes constructed during the reign of late 12th-century monarch Jayavarman VII) of King Jayavarman VII.

Prasat Preah Theat Basrei “ប្រាសាទព្រះធាតុបាស្រី” is a historical, cultural and religious resort which local people use during religious celebrations. It is located at Preah Theat village, Preah Theat commune, Ou Reang Ov district, 43 kilometers from Tbong Khmum Provincial Capital, along National Road No. 11, turning south of O’Raing Ov Market. In front of Preah Theat Basrei Temple, on both sides of the entrance road, there are two ancient temples built of laterite, the right one is called Vihear Kuk and the left one is called Vihear Preah Nipan. In the vicinity of Preah Theat Basrei Temple, there is an ancient temple built of sandstone in 983 A.D., built in a square shape measuring 15m x 15m and 33m high. The temple spans 1,250m from west to east and 300m from south to north.

Prasat Preah Theat Khtoum “ប្រាសាទព្រះធាតុក្ទម្ព” ៖ Located in Wat Toul Preah Theat compound, it is a historical and cultural site that is known for being a local shrine popular with the locals. The temple was made of brick on the laterite compound, surrounded by two-level laterite ramparts. There are two ponds about 500 meters from the temple. It is located in Svay Tipv village, Chikor commune, Tboung Khmum district, Tboung Khmum province.

Prasat Preah Theat Samdei “ប្រាសាទព្រះធាតុសម្តី” ៖ Situtated south of Tboung Khmum Provincial Hall in Nikum Leu village, Sralob commune, Tboung Khmum district, the temple is made of brick and laterite on squre foundation, with an amazing bas-relief on the wall of temple. There is also a moat and a pond.

Prasat Preah Theat Thom- Prasat Preaah Theat Tauch Temple (Daun Tei) “ប្រាសាទព្រះធាតុធំ-ប្រាសាទព្រះធាតុតូច (ដូនតី)” ៖ is a historical and cultural site that is known as a tourist attraction. The temple was made of brick in between the end of Prey Khmeng and the early Kampong Khleang styles during the reign of King Jayavarman II. It is located at Ang Khnong village, Dauntei commune, Ponhea Kraek district, Tboung Khmum province.

Tum Teav Site “ទីតាំងទុំទាវ” ៖ Based on a legend, TumTev site is related to a King Baraminreachea reign in Long Vek period of the 16th century​ (1,578 to 1,576). The story is quite similar to Romeo & Juliet, and is a tragedy. Nowadays, local people believe that two trees about is about 400 meters from one another represent Tum and Tev, and it is serves as a shrine. It is located Po Cheung Khal village, Mong Riev commune, Tboung Khmum district, Tboung Khmum province

Anlung Chrey Resort “រមណីយដ្ឋានអន្លង់ជ្រៃ” is a natural tourism site of Tboung Khmum Province which is the primary irrigation system for local farms. It also attracts international and domestic tourists to visit because of its natural landscape. There are villager residences and nearby rice fields, palm trees, and local fruit trees. The tourists who visit here can feel happy, relieve stress and have fun. It is located at Anlong Chrey village, Kak commune, Ponhea Kraek district, Tboung Khmum province.

Hoang Waterfall “ទឹកធ្លាក់ហោង” is natural site that is one of the most popular tourist attractions. It is located in a pagoda area and stands about 8m high during rainy season, when visitors can swim in the cool water. It is located at Srae Vieng village, Tuek Chrov commune, Dambae district, about 57 km from Tbong Khmum Provincial Capital, along National Road No. 7, turning right into Krek Commune, Ponhea Krek District. According to local authority, Hong Waterfall has about 1,800 hectares of land, all of which is dense forest.

Moit Khmung Fishing Village “ភូមិនេសាទមាត់ឃ្មង់” ៖​ Located at hmung village, Chiro 2 commune of Tboung Khmum district, it is a fishing village that relies on the Mekong River. There are a lot of people living there, and it is also home to a sunflower farm and different kinds of crops.

OBT (Organization for Basic Training) Tourism Community “សហគមន៍ទេសចរណ៍ OBT” ៖ Located in Chiro Krom 2 Village, Chiro 1 Commune, Tboung Khmum District, Tboung Khmum Province, 40 kilometers from Tboung Khmum Provincial Capital. The Organization for Basic Training (OBT) was established in 2007 with the participation of philanthropists and the Chiroth community with the aim of improving the education sector and the livelihoods and well-being of the community and sharing the burden of the Royal Government in reducing poverty. This organization was registered and recognized by the Ministry of Interior through letter No. 1541/S.C.N. dated July 02, 2009 and was established as Tourism for Chiroth Community in 2017 with official recognition from the Provincial Department of Tourism and Tboung Khmum Provincial Administration through letter 734/17 LSKhTKh dated October 30, 2017 of the Tboung Khmum Provincial Administration.

The tourism industry in Tboung Khmum province is still developing, with the region being less known internationally compared to more famous Cambodian destinations like Angkor Wat or Phnom Penh. However, the province has untapped potential, with its rural landscapes, cultural heritage, and proximity to the Mekong River offering opportunities for eco-tourism and cultural tourism. Here’s a brief overview of the tourism scene:

Accommodation: Tboung Khmum has a range of accommodation options, from budget guesthouses and local hotels and resorts in certain areas. Many visitors stay in Suong Town, the provincial capital, where there is a growing number of hotels catering to domestic and international tourists. There are also small guesthouses around other popular tourist sites, offering a more rural and relaxed stay.​

Restaurants and​ Eateries: The province has a variety of local restaurants serving Cambodian cuisine. There are also small cafes and eateries that cater to tourists visiting the main attractions.

Transportation: The province is accessible from Phnom Penh via National Road 7, which makes it a convenient destination for those traveling by bus, car, or motorbike. The road conditions have improved in recent years, facilitating smoother travel. The most common way to travel to Tboung Khmum from Phnom Penh is by car or bus. The distance is about 157 kilometers, which translates to roughly 2-3 hours of travel time depending on road conditions. Motorcycle taxis are also a popular way to travel to and within Tboung Khmum, though it might be less comfortable for longer distances.

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