About

Discover Kampong Thom

Kampong Thom is the capital of Kampong Thom Province in Cambodia. It's about halfway between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and thus most travellers only rush through on their way between these two 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.

Explore

What to Experience in Kampong Thom

In the evening, a small night market pitches stalls just in front of the market hall.

A close up of a statue on a wall

A view of the inside of a wooden structure

Explore this attraction

Cuisine

Taste of Kampong Thom...

Don't bother in Kompong Thom. There is karaoke on the top of the Arunras Hotel, although there are a number of alarmingly young working girls present. The best place to stay is the Arunras Guesthouse (US$6 for a single/double room with a fan). It has cable TV (including ESPN for English football) and is clean with friendly (Khmer speaking) staff. However it's very popular, particularly with Khmer government officials, and can be full. More up-market are the Arunras Hotel next door and the (favoured by tour groups) Stung Sen Garden Hotel. A number of cheap and dirty guesthouses also exist.

Plan Your Trip

Essential Information

Getting There

Multiple Options

Buses, minibuses (~8,000 riel) and shared taxis (~12,000 riel) connect from Phnom Penh. The same selection of transport should be available from Siem Reap. Current prices for Phnom Penh to Kompong Thom are about 25,000 riel for one place in a shared taxi, US$4 for a bus. Mekong Express buses stop at the Arunras Guesthouse and tickets can be bought there. From Kampong Cham local buses are available, they ask US$6 but the actual price is unknown. A shared taxi (7 seats) from PP to KT costs US$5 per seat. If you want the front seat to yourself (2 seats) you pay US$10. Highly recommended. The town is easily explored by foot. There are motorbike-taxis for hire to take you to more distant sights. The town is not busy with tourists and tuk-tuk drivers can be very persistent - if you tell them where you are staying there is a good chance they will be waiting outside your accommodation when you wake up the next day....

Travel Tips

Getting Around & Staying

Getting Around

The town is easily explored by foot. There are motorbike-taxis for hire to take you to more distant sights. The town is not busy with tourists and tuk-tuk drivers can be very persistent - if you tell them where you are staying there is a good chance they will be waiting outside your accommodation when you wake up the next day. There is an interesting fruit bat roost in the grounds of the Old Governor's residence (a nice colonial era building). This is behind the market on the first road off the river. If the gate to the Old Governor's building is open, you may be in luck, the house is sometimes left unlocked. All of the original furnishings are missing, but some of the bathroom fixtures remain, and the house gives off a haunted vibe. The fruit bats are in 3 large mahogany trees on the east edge of the property and is best viewed from the road (i.e. does not matter if property is locked-up).

Where to Stay

The best place to stay is the Arunras Guesthouse (US$6 for a single/double room with a fan). It has cable TV (including ESPN for English football) and is clean with friendly (Khmer speaking) staff. However it's very popular, particularly with Khmer government officials, and can be full. More up-market are the Arunras Hotel next door and the (favoured by tour groups) Stung Sen Garden Hotel. A number of cheap and dirty guesthouses also exist.

Money & Budget

Don't bother in Kompong Thom. There is karaoke on the top of the Arunras Hotel, although there are a number of alarmingly young working girls present. The best place to stay is the Arunras Guesthouse (US$6 for a single/double room with a fan). It has cable TV (including ESPN for English football) and is clean with friendly (Khmer speaking) staff. However it's very popular, particularly with Khmer government officials, and can be full. More up-market are the Arunras Hotel next door and the (favoured by tour groups) Stung Sen Garden Hotel. A number of cheap and dirty guesthouses also exist.

Stay Safe