Preah Vihear Province

While the province was renamed in honor of UNESCO World Heritage Site Prasat Preah Vihear which was built upon the cliffs looking south from the Thai border, Preah Vihear Province also features Koh Ker, which served as capital of the Khmer kingdom early in the Angkor era, and Preah Khan of Kampong Svay, one of the largest and most remote ruins in Cambodia.

In addition to these spectacular ruins, Preah Vihear features some outstanding birding in Preah Vihear, including the Vulture “Restaurant” and Tmat Boey, one of the richest lowland habitats in Asia with more than 80 species of bird.

While the temple of Prasat Preah Vihear has been the site of violent border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia, most areas of Preah Vihear are far from the border (and the fighting), including the provincial capital of Tbeng Meanchey, which lies 70 miles from the temple and the disputed border.

The capital of the province, Tbeng Meanchey offers almost nothing of interest to most tourists but serves as a convenient stopover for a meal if you are making a round trip from Siem Reap, or perhaps an overnight stop on the way from Siem Reap to Prasat Preah Vihear and then down to the pre-Angkor-era temples of Sambor Prei Kuk in Kampong Thom Province.

Transportation in the province is generally poor, though the main roads have improved significantly in recent years. Tour busses frequently make day trips to Koh Ker and cars are able to make the drive to Prasat Preah Vihear and back to Siem Reap in a single day! However, bus or share taxi are the primary means for getting to Tbeng Meanchey and trips to Preah Khan are still generally only possible on motorbikes during the drier months when the ‘road’ is in better condition. Finally, land mines remain real dangers in Preah Vihear Province, so do NOT stray off the beaten track.