Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wat Kompong Thom (400m), Department of Arts and Culture, Siem Reap & Sambor Prei Kuk
traverse the modest Stung Sen River ,
while to the west stretches a pleasant
riverfront promenade, dotted with
playgrounds and fitness equipment. It's
liveliest towards dusk, when the
waterside becomes busy with
impromptu aerobics classes and games
of badminton and shuttlecock ( sey ).
About 500m west of the bridge along
the waterfront is the colonial
Governor's Residence , next to a huge
old tree that is home to a huge colony
of bats . They can be seen quietly
hanging upside down from the
branches by day, before flying off in
search of food come dusk.
KOMPONG THOM
ACCOMMODATION
Arunras Guesthouse
Arunras Hotel
Sambor Village
Stung Sen Royal
Garden Hotel
2
3
4
1
T R
Stung Sen
TTAK
G S E N
Night Market
Market
D EKCHAUMEAS
Buses
Transport
Stop
P R AC H EATHEPATAY
Arunras
Hotel
Tela
Petrol
Station
N
S TREET 2
3
Canadia Bank
ST REET 1
S TREET 4
EATING
Arunras Hotel
Kompong Thom
Restaurant
Run Amok!
North of town
On the main road about 500m north
of the river, it's di cult to miss the
gaudy Wat Kompong Thom , its
3
1
2
STR E ET 6
S T R E ET 5
0
100
metres
STREET 8
STR E E T 7
Bank, Phnom Santok, Skone, Samnak & Phnom Penh
compound crammed with exuberant pagoda buildings and stupas. Further north,
Kompong hom's modest Department of Arts and Culture (Mon-Fri 8-10.30am &
2.30-5pm; $1) museum houses a small collection of statuary from local archeological
sites, including the original lion statues from Sambor Prei Kuk - although the
inconvenient location 2km from the centre along the NR6 to Siem Reap means it's
hardly worth the effort.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE KOMPONG THOM
Upon arrival in Kompong Thom, you'll probably be set down on the main road at the cluster of drink stalls diagonally
opposite the Arunras Hotel - make sure your driver knows you're getting off, or you might find yourself being whisked
straight through town. Leaving Kompong Thom is generally a swift and painless experience. Dozens of buses, minibuses
and shared taxis pass through en route between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (although few services actually begin here).
Buy a ticket from the women at the drink stalls opposite the Arunras Hotel and they'll put you on the next available service
- you shouldn't have to wait more than 15min.
By bus Buses from Phnom Penh and Kompong Cham will
drop you on the main road opposite the Arunras Hotel ;
buses from Siem Reap stop outside the market.
Destinations Kompong Cham (4 daily; 2hr 30min); Phnom
Penh (every 10-15min; 4hr); Poipet (10 daily; 5hr); Siem
Reap (every 10-15min; 2hr).
By minibus and shared taxi Minibuses and shared taxis
stop at the transport stop just east of the main road. This is
DRUMMING UP BUSINESS
A workshop near Kompong Thom offers a rare opportunity to see traditional drums being
produced. Look out for a small sign on the left 7km southeast of town on NR6. The small-
waisted, vase-shaped skor dae , about 50cm tall, are carved here by hand from the heart of a
jackfruit tree - the yellowish wood is valued for its resonant properties - and embellished with
carved decorations; a dried snake skin is stretched across the head. The drums form part of the
traditional pinpeat ensemble, a gamelan-style orchestra that plays at weddings and classical
dance performances. Also made here are skor sang na , a kind of cylindrical drum, twice the
height of skor dae , which are played slung over the shoulder during funeral processions. The
welcoming family who own the workshop will encourage you to try your hand at drumming,
and might give you an impromptu demonstration.
 
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