Welcome to Kampong Speu

Kampong Speu is a small province in southwestern Cambodia with its provincial capital, also named Kampong Speu, only 40km away from Phnom Penh. The province is landlocked by Koh Kong, Pursat, Kampong Chnnang, Phnom Penh, Kampot and Takeo.

It is a rural province, and one of the poorest in the country, whose people are engaged in agriculture and livestock farming. It is short on attractions and most people pass Kampong Speu on their way to Sihanoukville. However, there is an interesting community based ecotourist project which may set the model for others to follow.

Kampong Speu Palm Sugar

The province is named after the starfruit but is well known for its palm sugar and palm beer. The Kampong Speu palm sugar commands a premium in the national market, and the province has 10% of the total number of palm trees in the country. It is, like Kampot pepper, Battambang rice and Pursat cardamom spice, one of six agricultural products short-listed by the government for registration under the Geographical Indications Standard, which is a hallmark of quality.

Kirirom National Park

Part of the Kirirom National Park is in Kampong Speu, presenting opportunities for an eco adventure. The Chambok Community-based Ecotourism is one of few programs associated with a national park, and is a popular spot for Phnom Penh weekenders. There is a 40m waterfall, trekking trails to the top of the mountain, waterfalls and a cave which is home to hundreds of bats. Along the way, clear streams are suitable for swimming but soap and shampoo are to be avoided to not pollute the water for the villagers. The park is filled with 130 different species of birds

Another popular activity is to ride on an ox cart or rotei koh which is the major means of transport in the villages. There are guided tours and a home stay can be arranged in the home of a local farmer for US$3 a night. For an additional fee, meals can be provided.

Cambodia’s Only Hot Spring

The country’s only hot springs are found in Kampong Speu at Phnom Te village. Known as Te Teuk Pous, it is well off the beaten track and is easy to miss. Its name is derived from the name of its founder Lady Te and Tuek Pos, which is Khmer for boiling water.

There has been some development around the springs to create a pool to collect the hot water from the ground but the developer appears to have dropped plans to convert the area into a golf and spa resort. Changing rooms, soaking tub and picnic tables have been built but otherwise, there are no other facilities, nor people in attendance

The springs are sacred to the Suoy minority tribe that still uses the site for religious ceremonies. To the Suoy, healing spirits reside in the hot springs. Small archaeological finds suggest that Angkor kings would use the springs for their therapeutic properties and the area could have been part of an Angkor era burial site. The belief in the spring’s healing waters still prevail today as the Kampong Speu locals who make their way to Te Teuk Pous believe that it will cure them of afflictions.