Kampong Thom is a chief town of Kampong Cham province. This is the third largest city in Cambodia and is located next to the beautiful Mekong River. It borders Siem Reap in the northwest, Preah Vihear in the north, Stung Treng in the northeast, Kratie in the east, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang in the south and Tonle Sap in the west.
The warm and pleasant weather in Kampong Thom in most time of the year means that tourists can visit this city all year around. However, the mitigating weather of the dry season offers the best time to explore the city.
Dry season (October to early May)
The dry season is the best time to visit the city of Kampong Thom with humid tropical weather in temperatures between 23°C and 35°C. December, January, February and March is the best months. However, this city is still quite in contrast with noisy Siem Reap during the peak season of turism.
Rainy season (beginning of May to September)
Kampong Thom is quite humid during the rainy season with rain in the early morning or late afternoon. The city receives heavy rainfall during the rainy season with temperatures between 25°C and 32°C. August and September bring the most rainfall in Kampong Thom. During the rainy season thanks to abundant rain, the beautiful landscapes turn into lush green harbors.
Kampong Thom was made for who has the impeccable taste for ancient temples. Let’s take a look at some of the exciting tourist spots that can be visited on a trip to Kampong Thom.
Sambor Prei Kuk
Sambor Prei Kuk is one of the most significant religious complex in South East of Asia and Cambodia which includes more than 100 temples & shrines. These ancient Hindu shrines were built of bricks and were bulit in the pre-Korean period. The central shrines are still conserved well with beautiful brick sculptures.
Prasat Kuha Nokor
Prasat Kuha Nokor is an ancient Buddhist temple/pagoda built by King Suryavarman I during his reign. This temple is part of the Trodork Poung village, which is inhabited by the Pong Ror community. This temple was built mainly from sandstone, laterite and lotus pictures are carved everywhere. Prasat Kuha Nokor is also adorned by two calm ponds, one large and one smaller on different sides of the temple.
Prasat Andet
The Prasat Andet Temple/pagoda is about 27km from Kampong Thom centre and built by King Jayavarman I. The temple is located on an artificial hill and consists of a high brick tower with a height of 5.3 meters, 7.5 meters in length and 5.5 meters in width. Like many other temples during the same period, Prasat Andet was built from laterite, bricks and sandstone. The crossbar in the temple is carved with garlands and in the traditional Khmer style. The statues in the temple were brought to the National Museum of Cambodia for storage. In addition to the Prasat Andet temple, another Buddhist temple has been built recently.
Prasat Kok Rokar
Also during the reign of King Suryavarman I, the Prasat Kok Rokar temple was built in the Angkor style to worship Shiva. The temple is located about 14 km from the center of the province and was built from sandstone and laterite with the architectural style of the late-11th century. The center of the temple is conical with open arches to the east. Around the temple are marble pillars with many different shapes. According to the locals, many antiques in the temple were robbed during the French colonial period.
Prasat Preah Tea
The Prasat Preah Tea Temple is known as the “Pisa Leaning Tower of Kampong Thom”. Here visitors can admire the exquisite and unique carvings in the style of Angkor.
You can try Kampong Thom local food in night market, some local cafes and a few more upscale restaurants. Some restaurants serving western dishes.
Arunras Hotel & Restaurant
National Route 6, Kompong Thom; T: (012) 836 107, (012) 563 091; Mon - Sun: 07:00 a.m - 08:30 pm
This is probably the most popular place in the city, located below the Arunras Hotel. They serve a variety of Khmer dishes and some basic western options at great prices, which is why they’re naturally popular. An English menu and staff who can speak English are other nice features.
Kampong Thom Restaurant
National Route 6, Kompong Thom; T: (061) 221 081, (0713) 614 422; Mon - Sun: 07:00 a.m - 9:00 p.m
Another well located option on the riverside just east of the Kampong Thom double bridge. This has an outdoor seating area and a room with air conditioning. In the garden you can enjoy a view of the river. Compared to Arunra’s restaurant, the prices here are slightly higher. Still, this was the best place in town for a cold drink and a couple of snacks overlooking the river. Service is a bit slow but friendly and the menu is largely bilingual, offering both Western and Khmer food.
Sambor Village Restaurant
Democrat St; 600m from National Route 6; T: (062) 961 391, (017) 924 612; Mon - Sun: 06:30 a.m - 09:30 p.m
For cocktails and better prepared western food, the Sambor Village offers a solid menu in a very pleasant space in a wooden Khmer style house. The prices are reasonable considering the standard and there is a medium sized swimming pool on site. The restaurant is about a ten-minute walk from the market, east of the river. Sambor Village Resort is also name of the resort.
Love Cafe and Pizza
Democrat St, Kompong Thom; T: (017) 916 219, (070) 693 478)
Before, Love Cafe and Pizza was the only western-style place you can find in Kompong Thom. The menu mainly consists of pizza, burgers, the bacon and cheese burger. The staff were friendly too.
BBQ + 1
Democrat St, Kompong Thom; T: (010) 899 959)
There are a couple of Khmer BBQ spots on the way to the Love Cafe and Pizza. If you prefer BBQ, you could try it. BBQ + 1 seems to be the better and most varied of the options. Open only in the evening.
The province has a very simple road network that connects Phnom Penh (165 km) and Siem Reap (150 km) with the national road No. 6 and the separate national road 64 with the province of Preah Vihear at a distance of 126 km.
From Siem Reap and Phnom Penh you can take the bus or private car to Kampong Thom. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours.
There are many bus companies like Mekong Express, Ibis that go from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap or back.
There is no luxury accommodation in Kampong Thom, but mostly guest houses and some standard and mid-range accommodations. The standards are still not as high as in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. If you prefer something more comfortable or more relaxed while staying here, Sambor Village Resort or Glorious Hotel are recommended.