CityOutline guide

Kampong Thom

City in Kampong Thom, Cambodia

Photo: Baldiri, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

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.

Where to eat, drink and stay

Eat2 places

BayonUS$2-2.50 (8,000-10,000 riel)
Best Khmer food in town, offered at a reasonable price. The beef lok-lak and noodle soup are especially good. Also has a selection of Chinese food. Staff is very friendly and, during the day at least, usually has someone on hand who speaks excellent English. The menu also has a front-page inset with helpful Khmer phrases, including English phonetics, a history of the province and a helpful guide to Cambodian etiquette and social norms.
Price
US$2-2.50 (8,000-10,000 riel)
Address
Por Chea Tepatey Rd
Directions
out of Arunras hotel, turn right and take your first right. Restaurant is at the end of the street on the corner on the right side.
Stung Sen
The most up-market tourist friendly restaurant in Kompong Thom. Mostly attracts tour groups. Food not so good.
Directions
near the river

Getting there and around

Getting there

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.

Read in the guide

Getting around

The town is easily explored by foot. There are motorbike-taxis for hire to take you to more distant sights.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport

Siem Reap · International · SAI

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Read before you go to Kampong Thom

Articles and travel topics about Kampong Thom and Cambodia.

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Food & drink

Cambodian cuisine

Cambodian cuisine is one of the most underrated and overlooked cuisines in Asia. It encompasses the food cultures of all Cambodia's ethnic groups – the Khmers, Khmer Loeu, Vietnamese, Chams, Mountain Chams, Lao and the…

Wikivoyage

Full travel guide

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Get inBuses, 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.

Get aroundThe town is easily explored by foot. There are motorbike-taxis for hire to take you to more distant sights.

SeeThere 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.

DoThe American VIP School is a small ESL English school in KT town centre owned by an American and his Khmer wife. Native speakers wishing to donate 1 hr of their time to converse with eager Khmer students are appreciated.

Eat

DrinkDon'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.

SleepThe 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.

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Kampong Thom" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Kampong Thom city", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Baldiri, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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