Battambang ក្រុងបាត់ដំបង 马德望市
—  City  —
Kranhoung Stick King
Battambang Location of Battambang, Cambodia
Coordinates: 13°06′N 103°12′E / 13.1°N 103.2°E / 13.1; 103.2
Country	Cambodia
Province	Battambang
Settled	11th Century
Official	1907
Government
• Type	City Municipality
Population (2009)
• Total	250,000[citation needed]
	[1]
Time zone	Cambodia (UTC+7)
Website	City of Battambang

This article contains Khmer text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Khmer script.

Battambang (Khmer: ក្រុងបាត់ដំបង) is the capital city of Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia.

Founded in the 11th century by the Khmer Empire, Battambang is well known for being the leading rice-producing province of the country. For over 500 years, it was the main commercial hub of Siam's Eastern Provinces, though it was always populated by Khmer with a mix of ethnic Vietnamese, Lao, Thai and Chinese. Still today Battambang is the main hub of the Northwest connecting the entire region with Phnom Penh and Thailand, and as such it’s a vital link to Cambodia.

The city is situated by the Sangkae River, a tranquil, small body of water that winds its way through Battambang Province providing its nice picturesque setting. As with much of Cambodia, the French Colonial architecture is an attractive bonus of the city. It is home to some of the best-preserved, French colonial architecture in the country.

History[link]

Battambang was established as an important trading city with around 2,500 residents in the 18th century. They lived mostly along a single road parallel to the Sangkae River (Stung Sangkae). In 1795 Thailand annexed much of northwestern Cambodia including the provinces of Battambang and Siem Reap. The Abhaiwongse family rule Battambang for six generations which lasted until 1907 when the province was ceded to the French to be part of their Indochina colony.

Following the colonization of the French in Battambang the colonial administration developed an urban layout which enlarged the size of the French colonial town. In the first time development, they constructed a grid pattern of well-defined streets, put in the urban structures and built three main streets parallel to the Sangker River, connected the both side with two bridges in 1917. Military purposes and prison infrastructures were erected inside the compound. 19 years later, a second urban development plan was created with a newly constructed railway linked from Battambang to Phnom Penh. The urban structure was extended to the west of the town, featuring some important urban axes orienting on the railway station. Many outstanding buildings like residential villas and significant public buildings were constructed during that period. According to the third urban development plan for Battambang, a large extension was planned for the north, east and south of the city. The urban layout was technically planned and required long-term thinking to create an urban axis corresponding to the existing urban layout from the former period. Battambang grew as a modern provincial capital, and became the most developed part of all provinces in Cambodia.

Several large infrastructures and public facilities were built under the modernization program of the Cambodian government under Prince Sihanouk. Several provincial departments, the court house and other public administrations were set up on both sides of the river. Textile and garment factories were built by French and Chinese investors, the Battambang Airport was constructed, and the railway line was developed to reach Poipet. Numerous schools and a university were built. A sports centre, museum and an exhibition hall were constructed to serve the cultural needs of the growing population.

Climate[link]

Wat Peapahd Temple in Battambang

Attractions[link]

A street in Battambang

Kamping Puoy Lake

locates between two mountains, named Phnom Kul or Phnom Ta Nget and Phnom Kamping Puoy, at Ta Nget village, Ta Kriem Commune in 35-kilometre (22 mi) distance from the provincial town. Kamping Puoy lake has 1,900-metre (6,230 ft) width, 19-kilometre (12 mi) length and can load 110,000,000 cubic metres (3.8846×10⁹ cu ft). It is a fabulous lake famous for its giant lotus flowers which a social project named Samatoa use to make an extraordinary fabric. Embark a boat through the lotus flowers and ask for a free visit to the lotus center. You will discover a unique process to spin and weave the lotus fibers to make a new organic fabric. These activities employ more than 20 underprivileged women's around the lake.Back to the center of Battambang visit their tailor made workshop on road 2, #111. More on www.lotus-flower-fabric.com.

Ramayana depicted on carvings from the 11th century

Buddhist temple in Battambang

Baset Temple was built during the reign of King Suryavarman II (1002–1050) and located on a hill at Baset village, Ta Pun commune in 15-kilometre (9 mi) distance from the provincial town. Baset temple adapts the architecture of 11th century and built in 1036 and 1042. Next to the temple, there is a pond having 20-metre (66 ft) length 12-metre (39 ft) width and 10-metre (33 ft) depth. The pond is never dried, though in the dry season. In rainy season, the water level is higher than usual.

Wat Ek

adapts the architecture of 11th century and built in 1027 during the reign of King Suryavarman II (1002–1050). It is located at Piem Ek commune in 14-kilometre (9 mi) from the provincial town.

Prasat Banan

adapts the architecture of mid 11th century and the end of 12th century the temple was first built by King Dharanindravarman II (1050–1066) and was built finally built by the King Jayavarman VII (1181–1220). The temple is located on the top of approximate 400-metre (1,310 ft) heighten mountain at Koh Tey 2 commune, Banan District in 15-kilometre (9 mi) distance from the provincial town by the provincial Road No 155 parallel to Sangker River. At the mountain’s valley, there are Ku Teuk and two main natural well, namely: Bit Meas and Chhung or Chhung Achey.

Prasat Snung

characterizes as three separated stupas made of brick, located on a hill having 30-metre (98 ft) length and 20-metre (66 ft) width, in Snung pagoda’s area, Snung commune, Banan District in 22-kilometre (14 mi) distance from the provincial town. According to the style at the gate, the temple is similar to other temples in 12th century. Behind the temple, there is another new constructing temple.

Phnom Sampov

is the natural resort located along the National Road No 57 (the former National Road No10) at Sam Puoy commune (the high land having more than 100-metre (330 ft) height) in 12-kilometre (7 mi) distance from the provincial town of Battambang. On the top of Sam Puoy mountain, there are temple and three natural wells, namely Pkar Slar, Lo Khuon and Ak Sopheak. Next to Sam Puoy mountain, there are some main mountains, the natural site like Phnom Trung Moan, Phnom Trung Tea and Phnom Neang Rum Say Sork. These mountains related to the Cambodia folk legend of Reach Kol Neang Rum Say Sork.

Sek Sak Resort

is the natural resort, which has been popular since before the civil war time. Sek Sak stretches along the river bank full of plant, trees and bamboo-green nature in 500-metre (1,640 ft) length. As long as visiting Sek Sak, tourists can also visit other attractive sites like Po Pus Pich Chen Da Dong Tong and Sa Ang speak, the pre-history site in five kilometer (3.1 mi) to six kilometer (3.75 mi) distance from each other. Sek Sak located Treng commune, Rotanak Mondul District in 50-kilometre (31 mi) distance from the provincial town of Battambang along the National Road No 57, the former National Road No 10.

Nory (Bamboo Train)

is overseen by the tourist police and runs from just outside of the city to a village that has a brick factory. See Norry for more information.

Battambang Circus (Phare Ponleu Selpak)

gives performances every Monday and Thursday evening. The shows include a range of circus disciplines including acrobatics, juggling, aerial work, clowning, tightrope walking and aqua-balance. The shows are put on by students from the NGO arts school, Phare Ponleu Selpak. This organisation helps disadvantaged children and young people escape from situations connected with poverty such as begging or trafficking and to get an education, both in normal public school and in the arts.

Sister cities[link]

• Stockton, California, USA

References[link]

Further reading[link]

External links[link]

• All about Battambang and its surroundings (Touristic Guide Online)
• Battambang - The Rice Bowl of Cambodia (Official Website of the Provincial Town Battambang on www.battambang-town.gov.kh) (Khmer) (English)
• Phnom Bannon Hill Temple

v t e Battambang Province Capital: Battambang Banan District Kantueu Muoy Kantueu Pir Bay Damram Chheu Teal Chaeng Mean Chey Phnum Sampov Snoeng Ta Kream Thma Koul District Ta Pung Ta Meun Ou Ta Ki Chrey Anlong Run Chrouy Sdau Boeng Pring Kouk Khmum Bansay Traeng Rung Chrey Battambang District Tuol Ta Aek Preaek Preah Sdach Rotanak Chamkar Samraong Sla Kaet Kdol Doun Teav Ou Mal Voat Kor Ou Char Svay Pao Bavel District Bavel Khnach Romeas Lvea Prey Khpos Ampil Pram Daeum Kdol Tahen Ek Phnom District Preaek Norint Samraong Knong Preaek Khpob Preaek Luong Peam Aek Prey Chas Kaoh Chiveang Thvang Moung Ruessei District Moung Kear Prey Svay Ruessei Krang Chrey Ta Loas Kakaoh Prey Touch Robas Mongkol Prek Chik Prey Tralach Rotanak Mondol District Sdau Andaeuk Haeb Phlov Meas Traeng Sangkae District Anlong Vil Norea Ta Pon Roka Kampong Preah Kampong Preang Reang Kesei Ou Dambang Muoy Ou Dambang Pir Voat Ta Muem Samlout District Ta Taok Kampong Lpou Ou Samrel Sung Samlout Mean Cheay Ta Sanh Sampov Loun District Sampou Lun Angkor Ban Ta Sda Santepheap Serei Maen Cheay Chrey Sema Phnum Proek District Phnum Proek Pech Chenda Chakrei Barang Thleak Ou Rumduol Kamrieng District Kamrieng Boeng Reang Ou Da Trang Ta Saen Ta Krai Koas Krala District Thipakdei Koas Krala Hab Preah Phos Doun Ba Chhnal Moan

Coordinates: 13°06′N 103°12′E / 13.1°N 103.2°E / 13.1; 103.2

Sinn Sisamouth
King of Khmer Music
Background information
Born	August 23, 1932 Stung Treng, Cambodia
Died	June 18, 1976 Koh Thom, Kandal Province, Cambodia
Genres	Psychedelic rock Garage rock Traditional Khmer music Romvong Saravan Jazz Bosanova Twist Jerk Latin Blues Cha Cha Cha Madizon Hala Hala Agogo Film Music
Occupations	Singer, Lyric and Music composer, bandleader, producer, Film producer
Instruments	Mandolin Sro lai Pey Pok
Years active	1957–1975
Labels	Independent
Associated acts	Ros Sereysothea, Pan Ron, So Savoeun, Houy Meas, Haim Sovann
Notable instruments
Mandolin

This article contains Khmer text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Khmer script.

Sinn Sisamouth (Khmer: ស៊ីន ស៊ីសាមុត [sɨn siːsaːmut]; 23 August 1932 – 18 June 1976) was a famous and highly prolific Cambodian singer-songwriter in the 1950s to the 1970s.

Widely considered the "King of Khmer music", Sisamouth, along with Ros Sereysothea, Pan Ron, and other artists, was part of a thriving pop music scene in Phnom Penh that blended elements of Khmer traditional music with the sounds of rhythm and blues and rock and roll to make a Westernized sound akin to psychedelic or garage rock. Sisamouth is believed to have been killed under the Khmer Rouge regime.

Biography[link]

Early life[link]

Sinn Sisamouth was born in August 23, 1932 in Stung Treng Province, the son of Sinn Leang and mother Seb Bunlei who was of Lao-Chinese descent.^[1]

He was the youngest of four siblings, with one brother and two sisters. His father was a prison warden in Battambang Province and was then a soldier during the Colonial Cambodia period. His father died of disease and his mother remarried, and the union resulted in two more children.

Sisamouth attended Central Province of Stung Treng Elementary School when he was five. At the age of six or seven, he started to show interest in the guitar, and he would be asked to perform at school functions. He was also interested in Buddhist scripture and other books, as well as playing soccer and flying kites.

Around 1951, he passed elementary school and intended to study medicine in Phnom Penh, but continued working at becoming a singer and writing songs. Just as he had in elementary school, he became well known in his school for his music, and was asked to sing at school ceremonies.

By the time Cambodia was granted independence from France in 1953, Sisamouth's fine singing voice landed him a spot on national radio as a regular singer. He also continued his studies, working at Preah Ketomealea Hospital.

Music career[link]

After completing medical school, Sisamouth became a nurse and married his cousin, Keo Thorng Gnut in an arranged marriage. The couple had four children. But he was also a very famous singing star in Cambodia, and his life as a celebrity eclipsed his family life.

He possessed a clear crooning voice which, combined with his own compositions about the pleasures and pains of romance, made him an idol. He sang many ballads, as well uptempo rock numbers that featured prominent, distortion-laden guitar, pumping organ and loud, driving drums. Other arrangements were more Latin jazz-sounding, featuring woodwinds, brass, and auxiliary percussion.

In the early 1950s he became a protege of Queen Kossomak Nearyrath. He was selected into the Vong Phleng Preah Reach Troap (classical ensemble of the Royal Treasury) where together with Sos Matt, he performed at royal receptions and state functions. A number of songs he wrote subsequently bore the unmistakable melancholic melodies of traditional Khmer music he performed in those formative years. In the mid-1950s a romantic ballad "Violon Sneha", composed by violinist Hass Salan, catapulted Sisamouth into stardom. In recent years the song has been re-issued by a large number of modern performers, including Song Seng Horn, who comes from Rhode Island, Mol Kamach (a singer and guitarist of the 1960s who escaped the Khmer Rouge rule and is now living in France), Nay Sieng (a Khmer based in France), and Him Sivonn (a female vocalist from Phnom Penh).

Most of Sisamouth's tape recordings from this period did not survive the years of social upheaval however, although now and then some of Sisamouth's 1950s and early 1960s hits are rerecorded successfully. One such hit, "Srey Sros Khmeng", re-emerged from oblivion with Suong Chantha's 2002 faithful rendition. Sisamouth's other hits of the same period include "Anussavry Phnom Kravanh", "(Chett Srey doch) Chong Srol", "Thngay Dob Pee Thnou", "Thngay Muoy Kakkda", "Teuk Keb", "Stung Pursat", and "Prek Eng Oss Sangkhim".

Beginning in around 1963, Sisamouth started recording on the Vat Phnom label. His "Champa Batdambang" won immediate acclaim across the country. In a 1971 Phnom Penh television show, Sisamouth's interviewer recalled that "Champa Batdambang" was the first song sung on the inauguration of the station in 1965.

What captured Sisamouth's audience was the use of a four-piece, rock and roll band instrumentation with guitars and percussion, a departure from a backing band of wind instruments. He also experimented with Latin music, an infatuation that may have started with Prince Norodom Sihanouk's compositions such as "Reatry Del Ban Chuop Pheak" and "Phnom Penh".

Sisamouth's popularity nevertheless did not eclipse the work of other recording artists, notably those who sang at the National Radio such as Eum Song Seurm and Huoy Meas. Meas Hok Seng, a voice artist at the Phnom Penh University of Arts ("Sala Rachna") also achieved celebrity status in 1966 with "Lolok Nhi Chmaul". Hits by these artists often came from the pen of lyricist Ma Lao Pi, a talented poet and broadcaster now living in California, whose masterpieces include "Day Samot Trapaing Roung" and "Lolok Nhi Chmaul". Despite occasional hits such as "Akassyean", Sos Matt on the other hand appeared to have been unfairly sidelined in the commercialisation of music that took place with the arrival of recording productions such as Vat Phnom and Chan Chaya.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Sisamouth sang the soundtrack songs to a number of popular films, such as Orn Euy Srey Orn, Tep Sodachan, and Thavory Meas Bong. In "Peou Chhouk Sar", a 1967 success directed by Tea Lim Kaing, Sisamouth captured the poignant breakup of lead actors Dy Saveth and Chea Yuthan with his "Neavea Chivit". Over his long career, Samuth recorded many duets with female singing partners including, in the early 1960s, Mao Sareth, Keo Settha, Chhunn Vanna, Huoy Meas, Ros Sereysothea, and Penn Ron. Penn Ron began recording with Sisamouth in 1966. Ros Sereysothea started her career in around 1967 with the hit "Stung Khieu". Her high, crisp voice nicely balanced the deeper-toned voice of Sisamouth. Nevertheless the quality of Sisamouth's songs deteriorated rapidly in the 1970s, save for a few notable examples written by lyricist Voy Ho who had been a long standing colleague. Over that same period Samuth adapted a number of Thai songs into his repertoire.

From 1972 to 1973 music publisher Kruorch Bunlyhe issued A Collection of Sentimental Songs, which contained 500 of Sinn Sisamouth's songs. It is estimated that he wrote thousands of songs, possibly at least one for each day he was famous, his son Sinn Chaya has said.

Along with his original works, Sisamouth also introduced many Western pop tunes to Cambodia, simply writing new verses in Khmer language. Examples include "The House of the Rising Sun" as "I'm Still Waiting for You" (a particularly good showcase of his sustained phrasing and baritone voice), "Black Magic Woman" (drawing influence from the Santana version) under the title "I Love Petite Women", "Sugar Sugar" and "Quando My Love".

The Killing Fields[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

In the aftermath of the coup d'état by the Lon Nol government on March 18, 1970, which saw the overthrow of the rule of Prince Norodom Sihanouk, Sisamouth started to sing propaganda songs in support of the fledgling Khmer Republic. One such song that became an enduring classic was "Mae Owy Ao Yoann", telling the story of a mother giving a mantra-covered magic vest to her soldier son on his way to battle. Referring to communist troop movements over Cambodian territory during the Vietnam War, a verse in the same song said that the deposed king had sold out Cambodian land to the Viet Cong. Such criticisms of the royal family were unprecedented, not least given that Sisamouth had been a protege of Queen Kossomak Nirirath, mother of Prince Sihanouk. The Khmer Rouge takeover of Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975 saw Sisamouth forced out of the city, along with millions of other residents.

By this time he had remarried, to a dancer in the royal ballet, who was pregnant at the time with the couple's second child.

The circumstances of his death in the Killing Fields are unknown, but he had connections with the old government, was highly educated, and was an artist – all trappings of a society that Pol Pot sought to eradicate. One apocryphal story is that before he was to be executed, Sisamouth asked that he be allowed to sing a song for the cadre; but the cold-hearted soldiers were unmoved and after he finished singing, killed him anyhow.

Legacy[link]

Because his presence and influence on Cambodian music was so great, he is still a household name and remains popular to this day in Cambodia. Three children from Sisamouth's first marriage survived the Khmer Rouge and one son, Sinn Chanchhaya, became a singer for the Cambodian Radio, though he himself has admitted he could not be compared to his father.

Although all the master tapes of his studio recordings are thought to have been destroyed by the Khmer Rouge, his work lives on in recordings created from cassettes and LPs that have subsequently been transferred to CD, and are often heard on Cambodian radio stations.

Sisamouth, his frequent duet partner Ros Sereysothea. and other Cambodian singers of the era, including Meas Samoun, Chan Chaya, Choun Malai, and Pan Ron, are featured on the soundtrack to Matt Dillon's film City of Ghosts. Tracks by Sisamouth are "Mou Pei Na" and "Ne Te Fache Pas".

See also[link]

• Sinn Sisamouth discography

References[link]

• A Brief Biography of Sinn Sisamouth (retrieved from archive.org on December 22, 2006).

External links[link]

• Camweb: Sinn Sisamouth Songs Some songs of Sisamouth in Real Audio format
• Sinn Sisamouth song downloads at Khmer Rocks
• Don't Think I've Forgotten – A documentary about the Khmer rock and roll scene.
• km:ស៊ីន ស៊ីសាមុត

• Sinn Sisamouth Biography