Curious about the story behind this quiet area? Phum Khchau might seem like any other small community in Phnom Penh. But its history is interwoven with the larger story of this capital city.
Phum Khchau is located within Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s capital and most populous city. It has held this status since the French protectorate era. The city has become Cambodia’s economic and cultural hub.
Before Phnom Penh, Oudong was the capital. Phnom Penh replaced Angkor Thom. However, it was abandoned several times. King Norodom reestablished it as the capital in 1865.
Phnom Penh’s history stretches back further than many realize. Archaeological discoveries suggest initial settlements existed as early as the 5th century AD. Evidence of ancient kiln sites in the Dangkao district has been found. These kilns produced ceremonial vessels called kendi. They were active from the 5th to 13th centuries.
Legend says that in 1372, a woman named Penh found a Koki tree floating in the Tonlé Sap River. Inside were four Buddha statues and a Vishnu statue. Penh built a hill and a temple to house these sacred objects. The temple was named Wat Phnom Daun Penh. “Phnom” means “hill” in Khmer. The area became known as Phnom Penh after Penh’s hill.
King Ponhea Yat made Phnom Penh the capital in 1432. He moved it from Angkor Thom after Siam captured and destroyed it. Phnom Penh remained the capital for 73 years. Later kings moved the capital to other locations.
Phnom Penh became the permanent capital again in 1866. King Norodom I, ruling on behalf of Siam, made the decision. French colonial authorities transformed the riverside village into a city. They constructed hotels, schools, and other buildings.
By the 1920s, Phnom Penh was called the “Pearl of Asia.” Railways and an international airport were built. Under Norodom Sihanouk’s rule, Phnom Penh’s infrastructure was modernized.
During the Vietnam War, refugees flooded Phnom Penh. They sought safety from the fighting. The Khmer Rouge cut off supplies to the city before capturing it in 1975. They forcibly evacuated the entire population.
In 1979, the People’s Army of Vietnam drove the Khmer Rouge out. People began returning to Phnom Penh. Reconstruction began with foreign investment and aid.
Today, Phnom Penh is a growing city. It hosted the ASEAN Summit in 2002, 2012, and 2022. It also hosted the Southeast Asian Games. The city is planned to host the Asian Youth Games in 2029.
Phnom Penh sits on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac Rivers. These rivers provide freshwater to the city. The city experiences a tropical wet and dry climate. It is hot year-round with monsoons.
Phnom Penh is subdivided into 14 administrative divisions called khans. These khans are further divided into sangkats and phums. Phum Khchau is one of these smaller communities.
Phnom Penh’s population was over 2 million in 2019. The majority of residents are Khmer. However, there are also Cham, Chinese, and Vietnamese communities.
The state religion is Theravada Buddhism. Most people in Phnom Penh are Buddhists. Islam and Christianity also have a presence.
Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s economic center. Garments, trading, and tourism drive the economy. The city has many universities and educational institutions.
Phnom Penh celebrates Cambodian New Year. It also celebrates the Water Festival and Ancestors’ Day. These events showcase Cambodian culture.
The city features old structures like Wat Phnom. The Royal Palace and National Museum are major attractions. French colonial architecture also marks the city.
Phnom Penh continues to grow. New infrastructure and developments are planned. The city aims to accommodate its growing population and economy. So, while Phum Khchau may be a small hamlet, it is a vital thread in the rich tapestry of Phnom Penh. Its story echoes the resilience and evolution of this dynamic capital.