Archive for PHNOM PENH

PHNOM PENH MUNICIPALITY

Phnom Penh (Another Romanization: Phnum Pénh. literally: "Hill of Penh" or more loosely "Penh's Hill") is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic activities. Phnom Penh has grown to become the industrial, commercial, cultural, tourist and historical center of Cambodia.

Once known as the "Pearl of Asia", it was considered one of the loveliest of French-built cities in Indochina in the 1920s. Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, are significant global and domestic tourist destinations for Cambodia. Founded in 1434, the city is noted for its beautiful and historical architecture and attractions. There are a number of surviving French colonial buildings, such as the Royal Palace, Phsar Thmei, and other French style buildings along the grand boulevards.

Situated on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers, Phnom Penh is home to more than 2 million of Cambodia's population of over 14 million. It is the wealthiest and most populous city in Cambodia and is home to the country's political hub.

History

The Chan Chhaya Pavilion

Stupa in the Royal Palace

Pavilion in the Royal Palace

The exterior of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh

Phsah Thmei in the 1950s/1960s.

Phnom Penh first became the capital of Cambodia after Ponhea Yat, king of the Khmer Empire, moved the capital from Angkor Thom after it was captured by Siam a few years earlier. There is a stupa behind Wat Phnom that house the remains of Ponhea Yat and the royal family as well as the remaining Buddhist statues from the Angkorean era. There are also legends that tell how Phnom Penh was created like in the 1600s, Japanese immigrants settled on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh remained the royal capital for 73 years-from 1432 to 1505. It was abandoned for 360 years-from 1505 to 1865-by subsequent kings due to internal fighting between the royal pretenders. Later kings moved the capital several times and established their royal capitals at various locations in Tuol Basan (Srey Santhor), Pursat, Longvek, Lavear Em and Oudong.

It was not until 1866, under the reign of King Norodom I, that Phnom Penh became the permanent seat of government and capital of Cambodia, and also where the current Royal Palace was built. Beginning in 1870, the French Colonialists turned a riverside village into a city where they built hotels, schools, prisons, barracks, banks, public works offices, telegraph offices, law courts, and health services buildings. In 1872, the first glimpse of a modern city took shape when the colonial administration contracted a French contractor, Le Faucheur, to construct the first 300 concrete houses for sales and rentals to the Chinese traders. A commonly known building built by the French is Phsah Thmei.

By the 1920s, Phnom Penh was known as the Pearl of Asia, and over the next four decades Phnom Penh continued to experience rapid growth with the building of railways to Sihanoukville and the Pochentong International Airport (now Phnom Penh International Airport). Phnom Penh under the period of Sihanouk’s rule seen the expansion and construction of many modern infrastructures.

During the Vietnam War, Cambodia was used as a base by the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong, and thousands of refugees from across the country flooded the city to escape the fighting between their own government troops, the NVA/NLF, the South Vietnamese and its allies, and the Khmer Rouge. By 1975, the population was 2 million, the bulk of whom were refugees from the fighting. The city fell to the Khmer Rouge on April 17, 1975. Many of its residents, including those who were wealthy and educated, were forced to do labour on rural farms as "new people". Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot's forces and was turned into the S-21 prison camp, where Cambodians were detained and tortured. Pol Pot sought a return to an agrarian economy and therefore killed many people perceived as educated, "lazy", or political enemies. Many others starved to death as a result of failure of the agrarian society and the sale of Cambodia's rice to China in exchange for bullets and weaponry. The former high school is now the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where Khmer Rouge torture devices and photos of their victims are displayed. Choeung Ek (The Killing Fields), 15 kilometres (9 mi) away, where the Khmer Rouge marched prisoners from Tuol Sleng to be murdered and buried in shallow pits, is also now a memorial to those who were killed by the regime.

The Khmer Rouge were driven out of Phnom Penh by the Vietnamese in 1979, and people began to return to the city. Vietnam is historically a state with which Cambodia has had many conflicts, therefore this liberation was and is viewed with mixed emotions by the Cambodians. A period of reconstruction began, spurred by the continuing stability of government, attracting new foreign investment and aid by countries including France, Australia, and Japan. Loans were made from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank to reinstate a clean water supply, roads and other infrastructure. The 1998 Census put Phnom Penh's population at 862,000; and the 2008 census was 1.3 million.

Geography

Phnom Penh is located in the south-central region of Cambodia, and is fully surrounded by the Kandal Province. The municipality is situated on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers. These rivers provide potential freshwater and other natural resources to the city. Phnom Penh and the surrounding areas consists of the typical wet plain area for Cambodia. Phnom Penh rises 11.89m or (39 ft) which causes problems for the city of potential flooding by the monsoon season which sometimes over flow the banks of the river.

The city, located at 11°33′00″N 104°55′00″E / 11.55°N 104.91667°E / 11.55; 104.91667 (11°33' North, 104°55' East), covers an area of 375 square kilometres (145 sq mi), with some 11,401 hectares (28,172 acres) in the municipality and 26,106 hectares (64,509 acres) of roads. The agricultural land in the municipality amounts to 34.685 square kilometres (13 sq mi) with some 1.476 square kilometres (365 acres) under irrigation.

Climate

Phnom Penh has a tropical wet and dry climate. The climate is hot year-round with only minor variations. City temperatures range from 18° to 38 °C (64° to 100 °F) and experiences tropical monsoons. Southwest monsoons blow inland bringing moisture-laden winds from the Gulf of Thailand and Indian Ocean from May to October. The northeast monsoon ushers in the dry season, which lasts from November to March. The city experiences the heaviest precipitation from September to October with the driest period occurring from January to February.

The city has two distinct seasons. The rainy season, which runs from May to October, which temperatures can rise up to 40 °C (104 °F) around April and is generally accompanied with high humidity. The dry season lasts from November to April when temperatures can drop to 22 °C (72 °F). The best months to visit the city are November to January when temperatures and humidity are lower.

Administration

There are 8 Khans (Districts) in Phnom Penh:

- 7 Makara District

7 MAKARA DISTRICT OFFICE Governor and Vice-Governors Name Position Mr. Srun Sran Governor Mr. Yin Ngoun Colenin Vice-Governor Mr. Som Sovann Vice-Governor Mr. Try Narin Vice-Governor Mr. Som Chhim Vice-Governor Mr. Lim Sophea Vice-Governor Mr. Tuy Chamreoun Vice-Governor Mr. Hy Kimsour Vice-Governor Postal Code of 7 Makara District ( 12250) Nº Sangkat Postal Code 1 Monorom 12251 2 Mittapheap 12252 3 Veal Vong 12253 4 Orussei I 12254 5 Orussei II 12255 6 Orussei III 12256 7 Orussei IV 12257 8 Orussei V 12258

- Daun Penh District

DAUN PENH DISTRICT OFFICE Governor and Vice-Governors Name Position Mr. Sok Sambath Governor Mr. Hem Ann Vice-Governor Mr. Ek Khundeun Vice-Governor Ms. Pich Socheata Vice-Governor Mr. Sok Penvuth Vice-Governor Mr. Ta Karuphon Vice-Governor Mr. Chim Dyna Vice-Governor Mr. Chan Bondith Vice-Governor Mr. Ton Ponlok Vice-Governor Postal Code of Daun Penh District (12200) Nº Sangkat Postal Code 1 Srah Chak 12201 2 Wat Phnom 12202 3 Phsar Chas 12203 4 Phsar Kandal I 12204 5 Phsar Kandal II 12205 6 Chey Chomneas 12206 7 Chak Tomuk 12207 8 Phsathmey I 12208 9 Phsathmey II 12209 10 Phsathmey III 12210 11 Boeng Raing 12211 Address: #90 St. 90, Phnom Penh 12202 Tel: (855) 23 722-367

- Toul Kor District

TOUL KORK DISTRICT OFFICE Governor and Vice-Governors Name Position Mr. Seng Ratanak Governor Mr. Men Serey Vice-Governor Mr. Sim Sophen Vice-Governor Mr. Pich Keomony Vice-Governor Mr. Noun Somnang Vice-Governor Mr. Sum Rithy Vice-Governor Miss Ean Thim Vice-Governor Mr. Tep Sophon Vice-Governor Mr. Sang Sopheak Vicheat Vice-Governor Postal Code of Toul Kork District ( 12150) Nº Sangkat Postal Code 1 Boengkâk I 12151 2 Beongkâl II 12152 3 Phsadépo I 12153 4 Phsadépo II 12154 5 Phsadépo III 12155 6 Tuk Laak I 12156 7 Tuk Laak II 12157 8 Tuk Laak III 12158 9 Phsa Doeumkor 12159 10 Boeng Salang 12160 Address:  #185, V.Oknha Tep Phan, Phnom Penh 12153 Tel: (855) 18 810-322,  15 831-485

- Chamkamon District

CHAMKAR MON DISTRICT OFFICE Governor and Vice-Governors  Name Position Mr. Lo Yuy Governor Mr. Kim Chhun Ou Vice-Governor Mr. Nun Somoun Vice-Governor Mr. Prom Somkan Vice-Governor Mr. May Mon Vice-Governo Ms. Kep Sombo Vice-Governor Mr. Meas Sopheap Vice-Governor Mr. Thy Ge Vice-Governor Mr. Tith Sophan Vice-Governor Mr. Tep Veasna Vice-Governor Mr. Rin Soksante roth Vice-Governor Postal Code of Chamkar Mon District ( 12300) Nº Sangkat Postal Code 1 Tonle Basak 12301 2 Boengkengkang I 12302 3 Boengkengkang II 12303 4 Boengkengkang III 12304 5 Boeng Trabek 12305 6 Tumnup Tuk 12306 7 Phsa Doeum Thkow 12307 8 Toul Svay Prey I 12308 9 Toul Svay Prey II 12309 10 Toul Tum Poung I 12310 11 Toul Tum Poung II 12311 12 Olumpic 12312 Address:  #169-171-173-175  Mao Tse Tung, Phnom Penh 12304 Tel: (855) 23 213-565

- Mean Chey District

MEAN CHEY DISTRICT OFFICE Governor and Vice-Governors Name Position Mr. Kuch Chamreoun Governor Mr. Um Mareth Vice-Governor Mr. Em Sokleang Vice-Governor Mr. Bee Sophon Vice-Governor Mr. Huy Sarun Vice-Governor Mr. Ney Pat Vice-Governor Mr. Eang Siphan Vice-Governor Mr. Prom Sophean Vice-Governor Mr. Prach Seyha Vice-Governor Mr. Thoung Chantha Vice-Governor Mr. By Ney Vice-Governor Mr. Heak Chanleang Vice-Governor Postal Code of Mean Chey District ( 12350) Nº Sangkat Postal Code 1 Boeng Tumpun 12351 2 Stung Mean Chey 12352 3 Chak Angré Krom 12353 4 Chak Angré Leur 12354 5 Chba Ampeou I 12355 6 Chba Ampeou II 12356 7 Niroth 12357 8 Prek Pra 12358 Address:  #1St. 361,  Phnom Penh 12355 Tel: (855) 18 810-438, 830-387

- Russey Keo District

RUSSEY KEO DISTRICT OFFICE Governor and Vice-Governors Name Position Mr. Khlan Huort Governor Mr. Cheng Hong Vice-Governor Mr. Chea Kema Vice-Governor Mr. Nut Puthdara Vice-Governor Mr. Kao Saravuth Vice-Governor Mr. Kop Sless Vice-Governor Mr. Yos Yuthy Vice-Governor Mr. Hai Hokchheng Vice-Governor Ms. Ly Rosami Vice-Governor Mr. Seng Kun Vice-Governor Mr. Yi Sokleng Vice-Governor Mr. Kong Salong Vice-Governor Mr. Lin Jnok Vice-Governor Mr. Chor Kimsor Vice-Governor Mr. Sok Sen Vice-Governor Postal Code of Russey Keo District ( 12100) Nº Sangkat Postal Code 1 Russey Keo 12104 2 Toul Sang kè 12105 3 Kilometre6 12106 4 Chrang Chamres I 12107 5 Chrang Chamres II 12108 6 Svaypak 12109 7 Chroy Changva 12110 8 Prek Tasek 12111 9 Prek Leap 12112 Address:  National Road5, Phnom Penh 12106 Tel: (855) 18  810-437

- Dang Kor District

DANGKOR DISTRICT OFFICE Governor and Vice-Governors  Name Position Mr. Kroch Phan Governor Mr. Pel Kosal Vice-Governor Mr. Keo Sophea Vice-Governor Mr. Kit Sopha Vice-Governor Mr. Phok Seiha Vice-Governor Mr. Sim Solon Vice-Governor Mr. Theng Sothol Vice-Governor Mr. So Samedy Vice-Governor Mr. Hem Darith Vice-Governor Mr. Yim Sary Vice-Governor Mr. Som Hong Vice-Governor Ms. Chea Nyda Vice-Governor Mr. Im Thavy Vice-Governor Postal Code of Russey Keo District ( 12400) Nº Sangkat Postal Code 1 Dangkor 12401 2 Trapeang Krassaing 12402 3 Korkroka 12403 4 Phleung Chhésrotés 12404 5 Chom Chao 12405 6 Kakap 12406 7 Porng Tuk 12407 8 Prey Veng 12408 9 Samrong 12409 10 Prey sar 12410 11 Kraing Thnoung 12411 12 Kraing Pongro 12412 13 Prataslang 12413 14 Sac Sampeou 12414 15 Cheung Ek 12415 Address:  Russian Federation Blvd,  Phnom Penh 12406 Tel: (855) 18 810-325,  15 912-654

- Sen Sok District

SEN SOK DISTRICT OFFICE Governor and Vice-Governors Name Position Mr. Koun Sreng Governor Postal Code of Sen Sok District N Name Code 1 Phnom Penh Thmey 12101 2 Tuk Thlar 12102 3 Khnounh 12103

Demographics

Buddhist Institute in Phnom Penh

As of 2008, Phnom Penh had a population of 2,009,264 people, with a total population density of 5,358 inhabitants per square kilometre (13,877/sq mi) in a 375 km2 (145 sq mi) city area. The population growth in the city is 3.92%.

Phnom Penh is mostly inhabited by Cambodians (or Khmers) - they represent 90% of the population of the city. There are large minorities of Chinese, Vietnamese, and other small ethnic groups who are Thai, Budong, Mnong Preh, Kuy, Chong, and Chams. The state religion is Theravada Buddhism, more than 90% of the people in Phnom Penh are Buddhists with the Chams practicing Islam over the years since 1993, there has also been an increase in the practice of Christianity which was practically wiped out after 1975 when the Khmer Rouge took over. English and French are widely used in the city, but the official language is Khmer.

Economy

Phsar Thom Thmei currently under a massive restoration project

Completed in 2009, OCIC Tower is the headquarters for Canadia Bank.

Phnom Penh's is Cambodia's economic center as it accounts for a large portion of the Cambodian economy. Double-digit economic growth rates in recent years have triggered an economic boom in Phnom Penh, with new hotels, restaurants, bars, high rises, and residential buildings springing up around the city.

The main economy is based on commercial interests such as garments, trading, and small and medium enterprises. In the past few years the property business has been booming as real estate is now getting very expensive in the city. Tourism is also a major contributor in the capital as more shopping and commercial centers open, making Phnom Penh one of the major tourist destinations in the country along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.

The US$2.6 billion new urban development, Camko City, is meant to bolster the city landscape. The Bureau of Urban Affairs of Phnom Penh Municipality has plans to expand and construct new infrastructure to accommodate the growing population and economy. High rise buildings will be constructed at the entrance of the city and near the lakes and riverbanks. Furthermore, new roads, canals, and a railway system will be used to connect Camko City and Phnom Penh.^[11]

Other projects include:

• Grand Phnom Penh International City
• De Castle Royal Condominium^[12]
• International Finance Complex (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)
• Gold Tower 42
• OCIC Tower
• River Palace^[13]

With booming economic growth seen since the 1990s, new shops have opened as well as western-style malls such as Sorya Shopping Center and the new Sovanna Shopping Center. Two international franchises have also opened up in Phnom Penh. Dairy Queen has already opened up inside Phnom Penh International Airport and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has opened up a restaurant on Monivong Boulevard and plans to open more soon.^[14] The same company that opened up KFC in Cambodia has now obtained franchise rights to open Pizza Hut in the country.^[15] In addition, Swensen's ice cream restaurants was also opened in Sorya Shopping Center.

The Central market Phsar Thmei is a major tourist hot spot. The four wings of the yellow colored market are teeming with numerous stalls selling gold and silver jewellery, antique coins, clothing, clocks, flowers, food, fabrics and shoes. Phsar Thmei is also going under a major renovation project, with fresh paint on the exterior and interior, and the creation of newer stalls.

Cambodia Angkor Air has its head office in Phnom Penh.