Page 41 - Experience Thailand and More

NEARBY Now, a center for art and culture as well as business and education,

Battambang captivates many of its visitors so much that they never leave.

Another attraction of interest is the White Elephant Temple, Wat Damrey
ATTRACTIONS Sor. Built in 1904 at the urging of one of the wives of the Thai Lord Governor
Choom, the viharn, or sermon hall, features a number of Thai Buddhist
elements in its design. When constructed, like most Buddhist temples, it
would be entered from the east, but now, that entrance is blocked by the
Provincial Museum which faces the riverfront. While the collection is not
vast, you will see some exquisite Angkorian relics, bas-reliefs, sculptures
and lintels recovered from archeological sites around the region.

Colonial Reflections

Today, Battambang has some of the best preserved French
colonial architecture in Cambodia, particularly the villas along the
riverfront. Even older and featuring Thai-European colonial design
and wonderful European-inspired tropical gardens is the restored
former residence of the provincial governor, Sala Khet, constructed
in 1830. Another city landmark is the art-deco Psar Nat central
market. Designed by French architect Jean Desbois, it has been
operating since 1936 and nearby, are charming French-style shop
houses with their balconies and louvered shutters where families
still conduct business downstairs and reside upstairs. The French-
built train station is also quite interesting as are the aging Chinese
trading houses in the old commercial quarter.

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