Thma Puok ( Khmer : ស្រុកថ្មពួក , lit. ' The Crumbled Stone ' ) is a district ( Srok ) in the north of Banteay Meanchey province , in north-western Cambodia . The district capital is Thma Puok town located around 42 kilometres north of the provincial capital of Sisophon by road. The district shares a border with Thailand to the west and Oddar Meanchey province to the north east. No national highway runs through the district but national road 56 from Sisophon to Samraong in Oddar Meanchey province crosses the district from north to south. The district is home to the large temple complex of Banteay Chhmar . The temple was built in the late 12th or early 13th century by Jayavarman VII and is a modest tourist destination.
25-482: The district is easily accessed by road from Sisophon (42 km), Battambang (city) (110 km), Siem Reap (city) (144 km) and Samraong (71 km). Thma Puok district is the largest districts in Banteay Meanchey province by land area but has a relatively small population due to its isolation. Large parts of the district, especially in the north west towards Thailand, are largely unpopulated. There
50-465: A grid pattern, building of urban structures and three main streets parallel to the Sangkae River, and the linking of both banks by the construction of two bridges in 1917. Military and prison facilities were also erected. Nineteen years later, a second urban development plan was implemented, with a newly constructed railway linking Battambang to Phnom Penh . The urban structures were extended to
75-424: Is 35 kilometers (22 mi) from the provincial town. Kamping Puoy lake is 1,900 meters (6,230 ft) wide, 19 kilometers (12 mi) long, and can hold 110,000,000 cubic metres (3.8846 × 10 cu ft) of water. It is known for its giant lotus flowers, whose fiber is spun and weaved to make fabric. These activities employ more than twenty underprivileged women around the lake. Baset Temple Built during
100-462: Is 4.9 persons per household, which is slightly smaller than the rural average for Cambodia (5.2 persons). The sex ratio in the district is 98.7%, with similar numbers of females and males. Battambang (city) Battambang ( Khmer : បាត់ដំបង , UNGEGN : Bătdâmbâng [ɓatɗɑmɓɑːŋ] ) is the capital of Battambang Province and the third largest city in Cambodia. Founded in
125-413: Is a flagship city programme of UNESCO launched in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities which have recognized culture and creativity as strategic drivers of sustainable urban development . As of 2022 , there are almost 300 cities from around 90 countries in the network. The network aims to foster mutual international cooperation with and between member cities committed to invest in creativity as
150-626: Is located on the top of a mountain approximately 400-meter-high (1,310 ft), located at Koh Tey 2 commune, Banan District. It can be reached by traveling 15 kilometers (9 mi) from the provincial town by provincial road No 155, which runs parallel to the Sangker River. In the valley, there is Ku Teuk and two main natural wells, namely: Bit Meas and Chhung or Chhung Achey. Norry (bamboo train) The Norry , or bamboo train, runs 4 kilometers (2 mi) from Prasat Banan to Chhoeuteal commune. Previously located on actual railway tracks outside
175-634: Is one official border crossing with Thailand in Kouk Romiet commune. One provincial road begins at the border and runs south east through the district to an intersection at Sarongk in Svay Chek district . Another provincial road runs north from Banteay Chmar commune on National Road 56 to Banteay Ampil district in Oddar Meanchey province. Numerous smaller roads also run to the Thai border in
200-691: Is situated on the Sangkae River , a small body of water that winds its way through Battambang Province . As with much of Cambodia, French Colonial architecture is a notable aspect of the city, with some of the best-preserved examples in the country. On 31 October 2023, Battambang was one of 55 cities declared to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy as well as crafts and folk art, design, film, literature, media arts, and music . Other cities, such as Kratie , Siem Reap , and Kampot , may follow for
225-480: Is subdivided into 6 communes ( khum ) and 62 villages ( phum ). According to the 1998 Census, the population of the district was 53,536 persons in 10,860 households in 1998. This population consisted of 26,591 males (49.7%) and 26,945 females (50.3%). With a population of around 50,000 people, Thma Puok has one of the smaller district populations in Banteay Meanchey province. The average household size in Thma Puok
250-484: The Battambang Airport was constructed, and the railway line was extended to the Thai border at Poipet . To serve the cultural needs of the population, numerous schools and a university were built as well as a sports centre, museum, and an exhibition hall. Kamping Puoy Lake Located between two mountains, named Phnom Kul or Phnom Ta Nget and Phnom Kamping Puoy, at Ta Nget village, Ta Kriem commune
275-449: The 11th century and was built in 1027, during the reign of King Suryavarman I (1002–1050). It is located at Peam Aek commune, 14 kilometers (9 mi) from the provincial town. Prasat Banan (Phnom Banan) This temple adapts architecture of the mid-11th century and the end of the 12th century; the temple was first built by King Dharanindravarman II (1050–1066) and was completed in its final form by King Jayavarman VII (1181–1220). It
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#1732793365165300-564: The 11th century by the Khmer Empire , Battambang is the leading rice-producing province of the country. For nearly 100 years, it was a major commercial hub and the capital of the Siamese province of Inner Cambodia (1795–1907), though it was always populated by Khmer people, with some ethnic Vietnamese, Lao, Thai, and Chinese. Battambang remains the hub of Cambodia's northwest, connecting the region with Phnom Penh and Thailand . The city
325-456: The 1980s. In the past looters have dismantled entire walls of the temple to remove the carvings and bas reliefs. These treasures are then sold in the illegal antiquities black market. Thma Puok district lies in the far north of the province and shares a border with Sa Kaeo province of Thailand. Reading from the north clockwise, Thma Puok borders with Amphoe Ta Phraya of Thailand to the north west and Banteay Ampil district of Oddar Meanchey to
350-534: The arts school Phare Ponleu Selpak and include a range of disciplines, such as acrobatics, juggling, aerial work, clowning, tightrope walking, and aqua-balance. The school helps disadvantaged children and young people escape from situations related to poverty, such as begging or trafficking, and to get an education, both in normal public schools and in the arts. Bahá'í House of Worship Around 7 kilometers (4 mi) south of Battambang, in Odambang commune, stands
375-488: The city's Bahá'í House of Worship . Inaugurated in 2017. The round, nine-sided edifice features a central dome and spire and winged parapets that are reminiscent of Phnom Penh's Chaktomuk Conference Hall . Battambang is accessible via road and rail. There are buses that run between the city and Bangkok , Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap. The railway line between Phnom Penh and Poipet has been rehabilitated, allowing access via Battambang Royal railway station . Battambang Airport
400-586: The city, the bamboo train was relocated in 2017 to make way for the resumption of railway traffic. Prasat Snung Characterized by three separate stupas made of brick, located on a hill 30 meters (98 ft) long and 20 meters (66 ft) wide, the temple is in Snung commune, Banan District, 22 kilometers (14 mi) from the provincial town. Phnom Sampov Phnom Sampov is a natural resort located along National Road No 57 (former National Road No 10) at Sam Puoy commune 12 kilometers (7 mi) from Battambang. On
425-434: The next cycle in 2025 onwards. Battambang was established as an important trading city with around 2,500 residents in the 18th century. The population was centered along a single road parallel to the Sangkae River ( Stung Sangkae ). In 1795, Siam (modern-day Thailand ) annexed much of northwestern Cambodia, including the current provinces of Banteay Meanchey , Battambang , Oddar Meanchey , Pailin , and Siem Reap , into
450-553: The north east. The eastern border of the district is shared with Phnom Srok district . To the south, the district shares a border with Svay Chek district. The western border of the district also joins with Ta Phraya district of Sa Kaeo province in Thailand. The Thma Puok district governor reports to Oung Ouen , the Governor of Banteay Meanchey. The following table shows the villages of Thma Puok district by commune. The district
475-499: The north western part of the district. Thma Puok is home to the gigantic temple complex of Banteay Chhmar . The temple was commissioned in the 12th Century by Jayavarman VII in honour of four army generals and his son, the Crown Prince Indravarman . The temple complex covers over 500,000 feet (46,500 square meters) and due to its remote location near the Thai border has been a target of significant looting since
500-539: The previous work, resulted in a modern provincial capital that was by far the most developed region of Cambodia outside of Phnom Penh. Much later, more infrastructure and public facilities were built under the modernization program of the Cambodian government led by prince Norodom Sihanouk . Several provincial departments, a courthouse, and other public buildings were added on both sides of the river. Textile and garment factories were built by French and Chinese investors,
525-788: The province of Inner Cambodia. The Siamese ruled Battambang as a provincial capital through the Thai-speaking Khmer Abhaiwongse family , a branch of the Khmer royal family, which governed for six generations until 1907, when the province was ceded to the French to be reunited with Cambodia as part of the French Indochina colony. Following colonization by the French, an urban layout was developed, which resulted in an enlarged French colonial town. This first attempt at modernization led to well-defined streets laid in
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#1732793365165550-478: The reign of King Suryavarman I (1002–1050), it is located in Baset village, Ta Pun commune, about 15 kilometers (9 mi) east of Battambang City. Baset temple adapts the architecture of the 11th century and was built between 1036 and 1042. Next to the temple, there is a pond 20 meters (66 ft) long, 12 meters (39 ft) wide, and 10 meters (33 ft) deep. Wat Ek Phnom This temple adapts architecture of
575-578: The top of Sam Puoy mountain, there is a temple and three natural wells, namely Pkar Slar, Lo Khuon, and Ak Sopheak. Sek Sak Resort A natural resort popular since before the civil war , Sek Sak stretches along the riverbank with plants, trees, and bamboo stretching 500 meters (1,640 ft). It is located in Treng commune, Rotanak Mondul district, 50 kilometers (31 mi) from Battambang along National Road No 57. Battambang Circus (Phare Ponleu Selpak) Shows at Battambang Circus are put on by students of
600-425: The west of the town, creating urban hubs oriented around the railway station. The large residential villas and public buildings built during this period of French development significantly changed the landscape of the previously remote city. A subsequent third urban development plan for Battambang involved the north, east, and south of the city. This vast undertaking, which required long-term planning to integrate all of
625-587: Was previously reserved for military use but opened with limited services for small airplanes and helicopters in 2018. There is also (except during the lowest water levels of the dry season) a daily boat connection between Battambang and Siem Reap via the Sangkae River. Since buses are faster and cheaper, the scenic trip is nowadays used mainly by tourists and some locals who live along the river. 13°06′N 103°12′E / 13.100°N 103.200°E / 13.100; 103.200 Creative Cities Network The UNESCO Creative Cities Network ( UCCN )
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