Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PREAH VIHEAR PROVINCE
Bordering Thailand and Laos to the north, vast Preah Vihear Province, much of it heavily
forested and extremely remote, is home to three of Cambodia's most impressive Angkorian
legacies. Prasat Preah Vihear, stunningly perched on a promontory high in the Dangkrek
Mountains, became Cambodia's second Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008, sparking an
armed stand-off with Thailand. Further south is the mighty Preah Khan, while the 10th-cen-
tury capital of Koh Ker is more accessible and lies a straightforward toll-road drive from
Siem Reap, via Beng Mealea.
Preah Vihear Province, genuine 'outback' Cambodia, remains desperately poor, in part
because many areas were under Khmer Rouge control until 1998, and in part because, until
recently, its transport infrastructure was in a catastrophic state. The needs of the Cambodi-
an army in its confrontation with Thailand have expedited dramatic road upgrades in the
province, making travel a bit more straightforward, although public transport is still in
short supply on some routes.
LANDMINE ALERT!
Until as recently as 1998, landmines were used by the Khmer Rouge to defend Prasat Preah Vihear
against government forces. During the past decade, demining organisations made real headway in clear-
ing the site of these enemies within. However, the advent of a border conflict with Thailand led to this
area being heavily militarised once again. Both sides denied laying new landmines during the armed
stand-off between Cambodia and Thailand from 2008 to 2011, but rumours persist, as several Thai and
Cambodian soldiers were killed by mines in the vicinity of the temple. So do not, under any circum-
stances, stray from marked paths around Prasat Preah Vihear.
The rest of the province is heavily mined too, especially around Choam Ksant. Those with their own
transport should travel only on roads or trails regularly used by locals.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Preah Vihear City
064 / POP 25,000
Preah Vihear City, not to be confused with Preah Vihear Temple (Prasat Preah Vihear), is a
sleepy provincial capital where dogs lounge in the middle of the streets and are only occa-
sionally jolted awake by passing vehicles. There's very little to see or do here, but the city
