Battambang Province : Ancient building construction

Many ancient buildings that have been left for between 90 and 100 years in the heart of Battambang until now still look beautiful and are popular for sightseeing by national and international tourists. Currently, the authorities have paid attention to the environment and public roads to be spacious to serve international tourists who travel on foot to visit ancient buildings. A former principal in the 1980s, Reverend Puth Samrith, who lives in Battambang, said that according to what he remembers, the construction of ancient buildings in the city had three stages, and the construction also left space for walking and for fire trucks to easily enter and exit. In case of fire, there were roads No. 1 and a half and No. 2 and a half, which was a smart and protective feature of the ancient times.

The elder said that most of the apartment buildings built in the city are only 2 stories high, 5 meters wide and 20 meters long, with solid walls, a roof made of clay tiles, and a wind tunnel at the back and front of the house. The windows, doors, and stairs are made of wood, but the French period has a more elaborate style than the Socialist period. He said, “I can see two differences: the French period has many elaborate sculptures, and the Socialist period has a simpler style.” Some ancient buildings in the city have been partially renovated, maintaining the original form, such as wooden doors and windows, and have been painted. Currently, the provincial authorities have better organized public order in the city to serve visitors to visit ancient buildings from Street No. 1 to Street No. 3. The main thing that is complicated and lacking in order is on streets 1.5 and 2.5, which in the past lacked participation from the people living there, but now it seems very different from that time, both the environment and the streets and public spaces in the city.

Mr. Ham Arun, Deputy Director of the Battambang Provincial Tourism Department, said that currently, the remaining ancient houses in Battambang city total 800 houses, located in the center of Battambang city, between streets 1 and 3, including Wat Kor.

He said that there are also many ancient houses outside Battambang city that people are living in because those houses are under 50 years old, not considered ancient houses. If they are between 90 and 100 years old, they are considered ancient and historical houses.