Cambodia Siem Reap

Siem Reap, north of Tonle Sap Lake, is a province in North Western Cambodia. The name, if translated literally, means "Siam defeated". During a war in the 16th century, the Siam was defeated by Khmers and thereafter the province in which the war was battled is named after the event "Siam defeated". Siem Reap is home to hundreds of Khmer temples ruins, scattering in the area of 401 square kilometers, dating from the 9th century to 13th century. During Angkor period between 9th and 15th century, the Khmer Empire ruled by Khmer kings stretched over a vast territory of South East Asia from the tip of southern Vietnam to the Bay of Bengal. Angkor Wat is listed in the world heritage protection program by UNESCO in 1992. Siem Reap is a small vibrant town marked by French old colonial buildings that are mostly located around the old market "Psa Chas". The town these days is inundated by buildings and shops catering to the foreign visitors: shops, art schools, western style pubs & bars, restaurants, upscale hotels, budget guesthouses, and you can count it. Sivutha is a popular street where visitors would like to hang out and enjoy the evening searching Internet and dining out. Foreign visitors come to Siem Reap mainly to visit the temples of Angkor.

Author's Note:

I was born into a middle class family in Kralanh district (54km to the west of Siem Reap town). Originally, my family lived in Phnom Penh but were evacuated to Siem Reap for agriculture labour when the Khmer Rouge took control of Phnom Penh. My father was a professor. He was killed during the Khmer Rouge's regime, at the same time that I was born. My mother is still alive today and she works as a nurse at Kralanh Hospital.

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