PREAH VIHEAR PROVINCE

ខេត្តព្រះវិហារ

Bordering both Thailand and Laos to the north, Preah Vihear Province is one of Cambodia’s most remote and heavily forested regions. Despite its isolation, the province is home to three of the country’s most remarkable Angkorian legacies.

Prasat Preah Vihear – Perched dramatically on a cliff in the Dangkrek Mountains, this temple became Cambodia’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Its recognition sparked a tense armed stand-off with Thailand, underscoring both its cultural importance and strategic location.

Preah Khan of Kompong Svay – An immense Angkorian complex hidden deep in the forest, accessible only in the dry season.

Koh Ker – The former 10th-century capital of the Khmer Empire, now reachable via a newly improved toll road from Siem Reap, passing through Beng Mealea.


Preah Vihear Province represents the true “outback” of Cambodia. Until the late 1990s, much of the area was under Khmer Rouge control, leaving it extremely poor and with little infrastructure. Until very recently, there wasn’t a single paved road across the province. However, road upgrades—accelerated by both national security needs and patriotic pride over the Preah Vihear Temple dispute—are gradually improving access.

For adventurous travelers, the province offers more than ancient temples. With minimal light pollution, Preah Vihear is also one of the best places in Cambodia to witness the Milky Way, which blazes brightly across the night sky.