Thma Puok District
Encyclopedia
Thma Puok District 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.
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 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 the north western part of the district.
. 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 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.
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 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 Governor of Banteay Meanchey. The following table shows the villages of Thma Puok district by commune.
) 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 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.
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
. 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
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
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
Banteay Chhmar
Banteay Chhmar is a commune in Thma Puok District in Banteay Meanchey province in northwest Cambodia. It is located 63 km north of Sisophon and about 20 km east of the Thai border...
. The temple was built in the late 12th or early 13th century by Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII was a king of the Khmer Empire in present day Siem Reap, Cambodia. He was the son of King Dharanindravarman II and Queen Sri Jayarajacudamani. He married Jayarajadevi and then, after her death, married her sister Indradevi...
and is a modest tourist destination.
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 is one official border crossing with Thailand in Kouk Romiet
Kouk Romiet
Kouk Romiet is a khum of Thma Puok District in Banteay Meanchey Province in north-western Cambodia.-Kouk Prich:As of 1998, the village of Kouk Prich had a population of 1,452 in 268 households.The village is located at ....
commune. One provincial road begins at the border and runs south east through the district to an intersection at Sarongk
Sarongk
Sarongk is a khum of Svay Chek District in Banteay Meanchey Province in north-western Cambodia.-Villages:* Pheas Tboung* Pheas Cheung* Chrung* Phlas Kang* Kouk Phlu* Kantrong...
in Svay Chek district
Svay Chek District
Svay Chek District is a district in the north of Banteay Meanchey Province, in north-western Cambodia. The district capital is Svay Chek town located around 22 kilometres north of the provincial capital of Sisophon by road. The district shares a border with Thailand to the west...
. 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 the north western part of the district.
Banteay Chhmar
Thma Puok is home to the gigantic temple complex of Banteay ChhmarBanteay Chhmar
Banteay Chhmar is a commune in Thma Puok District in Banteay Meanchey province in northwest Cambodia. It is located 63 km north of Sisophon and about 20 km east of the Thai border...
. The temple was commissioned in the 12th Century by Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII was a king of the Khmer Empire in present day Siem Reap, Cambodia. He was the son of King Dharanindravarman II and Queen Sri Jayarajacudamani. He married Jayarajadevi and then, after her death, married her sister Indradevi...
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 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.
Location
Thma Puok district lies in the far north of the province and shares a border with Sa Kaeo ProvinceSa Kaeo Province
Sa Kaeo is a province of Thailand.It is located in the east of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima and Buri Ram...
of Thailand. Reading from the north clockwise, Thma Puok borders with Amphoe Ta Phraya
Amphoe Ta Phraya
Ta Phraya is the northeasternmost district of Sa Kaeo Province, eastern Thailand.-History:The area was originally dense forest of Aranyaprathet district. Later people moved to there for agricultural work. When the community grew bigger, the government created Ta Phraya minor district in 1959...
of Thailand to the north west and Banteay Ampil district
Banteay Ampil District
Banteay Ampil District is a district in Oddar Meanchey province in northern Cambodia. According to the 1998 census of Cambodia, it had a population of 27,075.-References:...
of Oddar Meanchey to the north east. The eastern border of the district is shared with Phnom Srok district
Phnom Srok District
Phnom Srok District is a district in the east of Banteay Meanchey Province, in north-western Cambodia. The district capital is Phnom Srok town located around 52 kilometres north east of the provincial capital of Sisophon by road. Phnom Srok District is the eastern-most district of Banteay Meanchey...
. 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.
Administration
The Thma Puok district governor reports to His Excellency Oung OuenOung Ouen
Oung Ouen is a Cambodian politician. He is the governor of Banteay Meanchey province.In 2008 he expressed concerns about Thai deployments along 150 kilometers of his border, west of Preah Vihear Temple, the initial site of a military standoff that began on July 15.-References:...
, the Governor of Banteay Meanchey. The following table shows the villages of Thma Puok district by commune.
| Khum KHUM KHUM is a commercial Freeform music radio station in Ferndale, California, broadcasting to Humboldt County, Mendocino County, as well as Eureka, California, Arcata, California, and Humboldt State University on 104.7 FM. KHUM also broadcasts on translator K282AD 104.3 FM... (Commune) | Phum (Villages) |
|---|---|
| Banteay Chhmar Banteay Chhmar Banteay Chhmar is a commune in Thma Puok District in Banteay Meanchey province in northwest Cambodia. It is located 63 km north of Sisophon and about 20 km east of the Thai border... |
Kouk Samraong Koet, Kbal Tonsaong, Banteay Chhmar Cheung, Bangtey Chmar Khang Lech, Kbal Krabei, Banteay Chhmar Tboung, Trapeim Thlok, Thma Daekkeh, Thlok, Kouk Samraong Lech, Srah Chrey, Prey Changha, Prasat Tbeng, Dang Rek |
| Kouk Kakthen Kouk Kakthen Kouk Kakthen is a khum of Thma Puok District in Banteay Meanchey Province in north-western Cambodia.-Villages:* Dei* Sdau* Treas* Kouk Kakthen* Ta Siev* Chonleas Dai* Ta Trai* Preah Chhor* Kouk Khpos... |
Dei, Sdau, Treas, Kouk Kakthen, Ta Siev, Chonleas Dai, Ta Trai, Preah Chhor, Kouk Khpos |
| Kouk Romiet Kouk Romiet Kouk Romiet is a khum of Thma Puok District in Banteay Meanchey Province in north-western Cambodia.-Kouk Prich:As of 1998, the village of Kouk Prich had a population of 1,452 in 268 households.The village is located at .... |
Kouk Prich, Srae L'a, Kouk Romiet, Sdau, Thmei, Ta Lei, Sereika, Ta Song, Trapeang Samraong, Phlov Bambaek, Thma Chhatr, Voa Preng, Pram Minea, Sameakki, Banteay Mean Rit, Spean, Kandaol, Kdoeb Thmor, Boeng Ta Srei, Boeng Sokrom |
| Kumru Kumru, Cambodia Kumru is a khum of Thma Puok District in Banteay Meanchey Province in north-western Cambodia.-Villages:* Andoung Khlong* Kumru* Ta Yueng* Aekakpheap* Phsar Thmei* Svay Chrum* Prey Veng... |
Andoung Khlong, Kumru, Ta Yueng, Aekakpheap, Phsar Thmei, Svay Chrum, Prey Veng |
| Phum Thmei Phum Thmei Phum Thmei is a khum of Thma Puok District in Banteay Meanchey Province in north-western Cambodia.-Villages:* Kab Chaor* Kouk Svay* Rumlum Chrey* Thmei Lech* Thmei Kandal* Thmei Khang Tbong* Totea... |
Kab Chaor, Kouk Svay, Rumlum Chrey, Thmei Lech, Thmei Kandal, Thmei Khang Tbong, Totea |
| Thma Puok Thma Puok (commune) Thma Puok is a khum of Thma Puok District in Banteay Meanchey Province in north-western Cambodia.It is the capital of Thma Puok District.-Villages:* Thma Puok* Neak Ta* Voat Chas* Kasen* Svay* Thnal Dach* Anlong Trach... |
Thma Puok, Neak Ta, Voat Chas, Kasen, Svay, Thnal Dach, Anlong Trach |
Demographics
The district is subdivided into 6 communes (khumKHUM
KHUM is a commercial Freeform music radio station in Ferndale, California, broadcasting to Humboldt County, Mendocino County, as well as Eureka, California, Arcata, California, and Humboldt State University on 104.7 FM. KHUM also broadcasts on translator K282AD 104.3 FM...
) 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 is 4.9 persons per household, which is slightly smaller than the rural average for Cambodia (5.2 persons). The sex ratio
Sex ratio
Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. The primary sex ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms....
in the district is 98.7%, with similar numbers of females and males.