Travel Kompong Thom

Travel Kompong Thom, a province overlooked by Thai travelers but not by mr.hotsia

Kompong Thom province is located on the route between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, north of the vast Tonle Sap lake. This province is not a major tourist destination as most travelers prefer to stop at Kampong Cham instead. But for me, mr.hotsia, who aims to visit every province in Cambodia, Kompong Thom became another must-visit destination.

Transportation and Accommodation in Kompong Thom

Traveling to Kompong Thom is very convenient. If you are in Siem Reap, you can take a bus heading to Phnom Penh, which takes about 2 hours. For bus fares with Soraya company, I paid 7 USD per person, about 210 THB. The buses have air conditioning, though some may not be very cold. From Phnom Penh to Kompong Thom, prices are similar: minibus fares are around 8,000 riel (about 80 THB), and share taxis cost about 12,000 riel (120 THB), which is quite affordable for interprovincial travel.

Upon arriving in Kompong Thom town, the main town of the province located halfway between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, I chose to stay atStung Sen Garden HotelThis hotel is located right at the neck of the Stung Sen river bridge. The rooms have two beds and wireless internet in the bedroom, which was very convenient for me to check work and update social media. Another well-known large accommodation is Arunrat Hotel, located near the bus drop-off point, with a restaurant. Prices are not very expensive for here, but compared to city restaurants, food and coffee might be a bit pricier.

Additionally, in small alleys near the bridge and the hotel where I stayed, there are 4-5 guesthouses with quite cheap prices, but I am not sure if they provide internet in the rooms. For budget travelers, you can consider these options.

Strolling Around the Town and the Old French Bridge

Kompong Thom is a charming and peaceful town, perfect for a relaxed walk to experience the authentic local lifestyle. I spent one night exploring the town, from the evening market with fresh river produce and various local vegetables to walking around the old French bridge (read more aboutOld French Bridge) that spans the Stung Sen river. This bridge has a classic charm and is a popular spot for locals to sit, relax, and take photos.

In the evening, the Kompong Thom market becomes livelier. I stopped to taste a variety of local foods such as Khmer fish cakes wrapped with long bean and refreshing sweet iced palm sugar drink (see the market atmosphere atKompong Thom Market)

Grilled Tonle Sap Snakehead Fish - A Signature Dish of Kompong Thom Recommended by mr.hotsia

For local food lovers, I want everyone to tryGrilled Tonle Sap Snakehead FishThis is a famous dish of Tonle Sap province. On the night I visited the night market, I found a rice porridge stall with dried snakehead fish hanging in front as an attractive feature. The seller could speak some Thai, which made ordering much easier. I ordered the snakehead fish and she immediately grilled it over hot charcoal. The grilled fish had a fragrant smoky aroma with a slight sweetness, delicious when eaten with hot rice porridge, so good I had to order more.

The dried snakehead fish here is not as salty as you might think. It is a traditional preservation method used by ancestors for a long time (read the history and preservation method of Tonle Sap snakehead fish fromTonle Sap Snakehead Fish Rice Porridge). Prices are affordable: a large grilled snakehead fish costs about 180 THB, and a bowl of rice porridge is 10 THB. It was a very worthwhile meal for me.

For those who want to try other Khmer foods in Kompong Thom, I recommendLocal Kompong Thom Cuisinesuch as Kompong Thom fried rice (Bai Cha), stir-fried dry style with Chinese sausage and various vegetables, with a mild flavor, and pho soup that pairs perfectly with it.

Night Market and Dinner in Kompong Thom

At night, the night market is a gathering place for locals and tourists to find food. I found several rice porridge stalls selling hot rice porridge along with other local dishes such as dried fish bread and foods hard to find in big cities.

The atmosphere of the night market made me feel like I was back in a small community of the past, still simple, warm, and friendly. If anyone is interested in seeing the atmosphere and tasting the food, I recommend watching the video I recorded atEating Khmer Food in Kompong Thom - Kompong Thom Local Foodto get a clearer picture.

Summary of Kompong Thom Travel Experience by mr.hotsia

For me, Kompong Thom is a very interesting province. Although it does not have outstanding tourist attractions like Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, walking through the market, experiencing local life, and tasting authentic local food, especially grilled Tonle Sap snakehead fish at the night market, was a valuable and worthwhile experience for an overnight stop before continuing the journey.

For those planning to travel through Cambodia, I recommend spending at least one night in Kompong Thom. You will truly feel the warmth and unique charm of this place.