Brand new port on the Tonle Sap for tourists and locals nears completion

Brand new port on the Tonle Sap for tourists and locals nears completion

The new six-hectare port for a tourist terminal and market in Kampong Chhnang’s Baribour district, Chhnok Tru commune, has reached 55% completion, according to the Chhnok Tru commune chief.

Saing Kimsorn told Khmer Times that the new port, replacing a jetty, will serve the tourist terminal and provide a shopping area for farmers, fishermen, and people in the surrounding commune.

According to Kimsorn, the development, after construction, will be home to fish stalls selling farmers’ produce and as a place for tourists to shop in the market. Also, nearby historical religious sites at the Kampong Preah temple complex are within easy distance.

He said that this port is a collaboration between the district authority and the private sector. The remaining work involves building up the riverbank, which will soon be put into operation.

The port will serve as the station for fisheries administration at the commune, an aquarium, a tourist’s terminal, and fishing lots.

“Tourists coming here want to visit the historical religious sites (the aforementioned Kampong Preah temple complex), observe the livelihoods of people on the Tonle Sap river, buy agriculture products on the island and watch how the fishermen live on the river,” said Kimsorn.

“Before the outbreak of COVID-19, about seven to 10 tourist buses visited this tourism site, but now it is a bit quiet,” Kimsorn added.

He said that this port will not only serve the tourism sector but also ease the living standards of the 2,000 people in the commune because they can sell their products: fish, vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural goods to the tourists and other people from other communes or districts.

“It serves as a market place for people so that they can trade with each other,” said Kimsorn. He added that despite the nation’s fight against COVID-19, work at the new port is still underway.

“The commune authorities on behalf of the people also thanked the heads of the Royal Government and the National Working Group for their assistance with Kampong Chhnang and the provincial authorities for the initiative. The new port will help ease the difficulties for people to find the right port for the boats to sell fish and produce,” Kimsorn added. Khmer Times