SOUTH EAST ASIA 2013 |
All photos © Ruud Leeuw
SOUTH EAST ASIA 2013 |
All photos © Ruud Leeuw
 The name Siem Reap means the 'Flat Defeat of Siam': today’s Thailand (Cambodians call Siam or Thailand 'Siem'). It refers to the centuries-old conflict between the Siamese and Khmer peoples. It was because of the victory during the 16th century over the Thais which King Ang Chan counter-attacked, and where Prince Ong, on an elephant’s back, was shot dead at this battle field; the Thais were routed and no less than 10,000 Thai troops were captured. However most of sources mentioned the final defeat of Angkor Kingdom by the Thais from Ayutthaya in the fifteenth century. The city was abandoned since then.
From the 16th through the 19th centuries, the feuds among the Cambodian lords caused the interventions and domination from the more powerful neighbors, Vietnam and Siam.
In 1901 the École Française d'Extrême Orient (EFEO) began a long association with Angkor by funding an expedition into Siam to the Bayon. The EFEO took responsibility for clearing and restoring the whole site, when Angkor ruins were rediscovered. Today, Siem Reap serves as a small gateway town to the world famous heritage site of the Angkor temples. Thanks to those attractions, Siem Reap has transformed itself into a major tourist hub. |
 We were driven in a Tuk-tuk to our hotel; the traffic was as chaotic as in Phnom Penh, it often approached head on. The tuk-tuk drivers wore a numbered vest and an id, to instill a sense of order and safety with the tourists. The streets in Siem Reap were a lot cleaner than in Phnom Penh. |
 Our stay for five nights: Central Boutique Angkor Hotel, booked through RiksjaTravel.nl. It featured a colourful, lush tropical garden, but the pool you see there was closed for some reason. A disappointment when you return sweaty from a tiresome excursion at the Angkor temples. We hadn't been told they had a second pool, until some time later. There was some lack of understanding & communication by the staff, but their kindness was obvious. The breakfast buffet was something to remember. Wifi didn't always work (our room was at the far end). But the room was spacious and most comfortable. |
 The streets were kept very clean, a big improvement over Phnom Penh. |
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The core of entertainment in Seam Reap is Pub Street.
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More streetscenes in Siem Reap at my Flickr.com webpages |
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Page compiled/updated: 04-May-2013 / 18-Jul-2013
