Visiting the jungle temple 'Preah Khan Kompong Svay'
Preah Khan Kampong Svay temple is name given to the temple group located in Ta Siang village, Ronakse commune, Sangkum Thmei district, Preah Vihear province [formerly, in Kompong Svay district in Kompong Thom province, that’s why it is called Kompong Svay as they don’t want to be confused with Preah Khan temple in Siem Reap]. Google Map is here. Compared to other temples around Cambodia, this one is located in a remote jungle site and less known. Video of the temple produced by my organization is here.
The main temple and most known ones are Prasat Bakan and Prasat Chaktomuk [Muk Buon = Four faces]. However, there are many other temples in this group such as Neang Peou and Dangkao Baodos temples (inside ramparts) and Preah Damrei, Preah Thkaol, Ta Prohm and Preah Stung temples as well as the Mebon (outside ramparts). Unlike other hundred temples around Cambodia in Siem Reap and Preah Vihear, this temple group is less known to people, even locals. The temple was like a royal palace and worship place. If you want to see the remote temple with no one around, this would be a great place to explore. Prasat Chaktomuk [Muk Buon] is the unique temple in Cambodia where you can see big Buddha statue with four faces to 4 different direction. It was ruined, but just recently renovated and reconstructed back to its original.
Distance from nearby provincial town
- 75km north of the Kompong Thom town.
- 105 kilometres southwest of Preah Vihear provincial town
- 100 km east of Angkor temple, Siem Reap province
History of the temples
- In the 12th century, Preah Khan temples were built. The temples mostly built from laterite stone refracts the bright sunshine, enveloping the temple in a heavenly light. It was said that this temple site was home to King Suryavarman II and used to be a hiding place for the future King Jayavarman VII, who then defeated the invading Chams, claimed the throne and moved his capital back to Angkor in 1181. This claim came from the similar style found in Preah Khan Kompong Svay, compared to that of Bayon and Ta Prohm temples (in Siem Reap).
- Preah Khan Kompong Svay temple was studied in the 1870s by Louis Delaporte, who looted and carried off various large carvings from the temple to France (they are now housed in the Guimet Museum in Paris).
- During civil wars and after the civil war (1980s), the illegal ancient statues selling business was rising (botched robbery) [no one to guard the temple and people cared more about their living], proof can be seen at this temple when they tried to cut the statue out from the temple walls.
- It is only when they celebrated a Millennium welcoming event in 2000s at this temple that it attracted hundreds of locals.
- The temple even these days pretty much inside the jungle and remains a complex very much in its natural state even they cleared vegetation, trees, scrubs and dense foliage from the site.
Tourism facilities
- The site is accessible by car [red road at some parts], however, it is difficult to access the site during the rainy season.
- No homestay or hotels nearby, considered packing food to the place. Good for family picnics
- No guides to bring you around or tell you stories, unless you hire a great one from Siem Reap
- There is a big lake nearby the temple that can give very good feeling and atmosphere before entering the main temple
Entrance ticket
- 10$ for aliens
- Free entry for locals
Temples in this province
- Neak Buos Temple
- Kork Beng Temple
- Koh Ker Temple
- Preah Vihear Temple
- Wat Peung Preah Kor
- Foof of Phnom Tbeng Wat Bak Kam
- Phnom Pralean Temple
- Krapum Chhouk Temple
- Noreay Temple
Previous articles about attractions in Preah Vihear
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