Tbong Khmum, meaning “Bee’s Diamond” in Khmer, is a province located in Cambodia’s fertile central lowlands along the Mekong River. It shares borders with Kampong Cham to the west, Kratié to the north, Prey Veng to the south, and Vietnam to the east, offering both domestic connectivity and international trade potential. The provincial capital is Suong, a steadily developing city that plays a central role in administration and commerce.
Tbong Khmum was officially established as a separate province in December 2013, following a royal decree by King Norodom Sihamoni, based on the recommendation of Prime Minister Hun Sen, which divided the former Kampong Cham Province into two.
Geography and Administrative Divisions
Strategically located in the heart of Cambodia, Tbong Khmum benefits from a mix of fertile plains, cross-border infrastructure, and proximity to the Mekong River system. It is composed of six districts and one municipality:
- Dambae
- Krouch Chhmar
- Memot
- Ou Reang Ov
- Ponhea Kraek
- Tbong Khmum District
- Suong City (Krong Suong)
The province is an important agricultural and trading corridor, especially for areas near the Vietnamese border, which host formal checkpoints and commercial routes.
Population
As of the 2008 census, Tbong Khmum had a population of approximately 754,000, with a population density of 150 people per square kilometer. The majority of residents live in rural communities, engaged in agriculture and small-scale trade. Suong City functions as the administrative and economic center, with an increasing presence of services and small industries.
Climate
Tbong Khmum experiences Cambodia’s typical tropical monsoon climate, making it suitable for year-round farming and tourism. The area receives abundant rainfall during the wet season, which supports agriculture, particularly rice cultivation, rubber plantations, and fruit crops.
Seasonal Overview:
- Cool Season: November – March (22°C – 28°C)
- Hot Season: March – May (27°C – 34°C)
- Rainy Season: May – October (24°C – 32°C, humidity up to 90%)
The average temperature is about 27°C, with December and January being the coolest months and April typically the warmest.
Economy
Tbong Khmum’s economy is largely agrarian, with a strong focus on rubber production, rice farming, and fruit cultivation. The eastern districts near the Vietnam border—especially Memot and Ponhea Kraek—are known for their rubber plantations and cross-border trade activities. The province’s border location offers growing potential for logistics, export-import businesses, and processing industries.
The recent administrative separation from Kampong Cham has also drawn governmental and development attention, encouraging infrastructure projects such as roads, schools, and agricultural development programs. Markets and small businesses in Suong and surrounding towns are slowly expanding to support a more diversified local economy.
Tbong Khmum stands as a province with both agricultural richness and strategic trade potential. As a relatively new administrative region, it is steadily building its infrastructure, administrative capacity, and economic networks. With its central location, proximity to Vietnam, and natural resources, Tbong Khmum is poised for continued growth in both rural development and cross-border commerce.
