Kampong Phluk - fishing-reliant Cambodian commune

Question

Kampong Phluk, a commune situated in Prasat Bakong District of Siem Reap Province in Cambodia, is a community that heavily relies on fishing as a means of subsistence. [Map location]

The local economy is predominantly sustained by the shrimp industry, with the wet season of Cambodia (May-October) being the peak period for fishing. Notably, the name Kampong Phluk translates to "Harbor of the Tusks."

GEOGRAPHY
The unique terrain of Kampong Phluk, characterized by waterlogged landscapes and seasonal fluctuations in water levels, has led to the construction of houses and buildings on stilts ranging from 6 m to 9 m in height.

This architectural approach allows the community to adapt to the changes in water levels between wet and dry seasons.

CLIMATE
During the dry season (November-April), when the river thins due to receding water, many residents turn to farming as an additional source of income. Over the last decade, tourism has emerged as a growing sector of the local economy, adding to the traditional fishing and farming livelihoods.

According to the latest available data from 2019, Kampong Phluk has a total of 911 families and 3,707 inhabitants, with three distinct villages within the commune: Tnaot Kambot, Dey Krahom, and Kok Kdol.

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