Banlung

Banlung (Khmer: បានលុង) is the capital of Ratanakiri Province in northeastern Cambodia. Banlung is 636 km from the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. Ratanakiri Province borders Vietnam and Laos.[1] Banlung is also the capital of the Banlung District. The city has a population of around 17,000 and the surrounding district has a population of 23,888.

For the municipality, see Banlung Municipality.

Banlung

បានលុង
Town
Banlung in January 2018
Banlung
Location of Banlung, Cambodia
Coordinates: 13°44′48″N 107°0′16″E
Country Cambodia
ProvinceRatanakiri Province
DistrictBanlung District
Population
 (2006)
 • Total17,000
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)

The town became the capital of Ratanakiri Province in 1979, following the fall of the Khmer Rouge. The capital was moved from Voen Sai to Banlung in order to facilitate trade with Vietnam (prior to Voen Sai, the capital was Lumphat).[2] Prior to 1979 the town was known as Labansiek.[1]

It is a relatively lively commercial center; ethnic minorities from surrounding villages often come to the city market to sell their goods.[1]

Banlung District contains 16 villages in three communes. Three kilometres west of Banlung are the Katieng Waterfalls, where Ratnakiri's last elephants are integrated with a conservation programme by the Airavata Elephant Foundation.

Transportation

The most convenient way to reach Banlung is by road. It is well connected with its neighboring cities such as Stung Treng, Kratie and Phnom Penh. One can fly into Phnom Penh International Airport and take the road.[3]

Communes
Commune (khum)Villages (phum)[4][5]Population (1998)[4]
KachanhPhum Muoy, Phum Pir, Phum Bei, Phum Buon3,888
LabansiekPhum Muoy, Phum Pir, Phum Bei, Phum Buon, Phum Pram, Phum Prammuoy, Phum Prampir (Village 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)11,256
Yeak LaomLon, Phnum, Sil, La Pou, Chri1,855
Banlung market

Infrastructure

Electricity in Banlung is produced by the nearby O Chum 2 Hydropower Dam. In the region only around 13% of homes have access to electricity.

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References
  1. Ray, Nick. Cambodia. Lonely Planet (2002), p315. ISBN 1-74059-111-9.
  2. The Rough Guide to Cambodia Archived 2012-04-04 at the Wayback Machine, by Beverley Palmer, p. 238
  3. "Transport in Banlung". Tripcrafters.
  4. "Final Population Totals, Rotanak Kiri Province, 1998" Archived October 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Cambodia National Institute of Statistics. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  5. "Ratanak Kiri Province" Archived June 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Cambodia National Institute of Statistics. Accessed June 6, 2008.
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