Banteay Meanchey Province

Banteay Meanchey is a Cambodian province in the northwest of the country, and its capital is named Sisophon. The town of Sisophorn is today a charming, quiet place that only gives hints to its turbulent past upon closer examination. Like Siem Reap and Battambang Provinces, control of the province has changed hands many times between the Thais and the Khmers in the more distant past, and the Khmer Rouge and central Phnom Penh government in recent decades.

With the final demise of the Khmer Rouge (locals, however, firmly believe the Present national reconciliation only the Khmer Rouge trick), the province and towns are striving to rebuild their culture and economy.

It’s very friendly place with the locals genuinely happy to see foreign faces and the stability that it implies. Normally just a passing-through spot on the way to the border, or between Battambang and Siem Reap, the area has a few sights that warrant a visit, such the Banteay Chhmar temple ruins, the only other Khmer temple ruins besides the Bayon (Angkor) and Preah Khan ( Preah Vihear Province ) that features the famous four-faced monuments. This area was part of the extensive Khmer empire, with its most notable remains the Banteay Chhmar temple (built in 12th and 13th century) in the north of the province. In the 17th century the Siam took control over Cambodia, and made the area of the modern province part of Sisophon Province. In the year 1907 the Siam had to cede control to the French, and the area was then included into Battambang Province. In 1988 the province Banteay Meanchey was split off from Battambang.

Banteay Meanchey is located in the Northwest of Cambodia. It borders with Thailand to the west and North, with Oddar Meancheay to the North, with Siem Reap to the East and with Battambang to the South. The town of Sisophorn is about 359km from Phnom Penh via national road number 5.

One of the most known places in that province is Poipet, a town on the Thailand/Cambodia border. It’s the key crossing point between the two countries, and also extremely popular as a gambling destination with lot’s of casinos (gambling is popular, but illegal in Thailand). There is a strip of casinos, guesthouses and hotels between the Thai and Cambodian passport control counters, enabling Thais to gamble in Cambodia without needing to go through Cambodian immigration. Poipet is adjacent to the city of Aranya Pratet on the Thai side of the border.
The province is mostly covered by extensive lowlands, with a few uplands to the North and East (all in all around 6,679 sq/km surface). The main rivers are the Mongkol Borei River and the Sisophon River.

“Situated on the Thai border in north-western Cambodia, Banteay Meanchey province has had a turbulent recent past. Control of the province changed hands many times between Thai forces and the Khmer Rouge, finally falling into the hands of the Royal Government in the late 90’s. the province is poor and there are still many unexploded mines in the province fields and forests. Nearly all of Banteay Meanchey’s 840,000 resident are farmers although the improving economy has led to investment in Serei Sophoan, the provincial capital, and Poipet.

Where to See:

  • Banteay Nang Mountain (11km from town)
  • Phnom Touch  Mountain (1km from town)
  • Phnom Bac Mountain (4km from town)
  • Phnom Chun Cheang Mountain (3 km from town)
  • Snay Mountain (4km from town)
  • Ang Tra Peang Thmor Pool (56km from town)
  • Marble Sculpture and Handcrafts (51km from town)
  • Banteay Chhma Temple (59 km from town)
  • Poipet Casino (43km from town)

Where to Stay:

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