Battambang Province - History

History

During the pre-Angkor and Angkorian eras, the areas to the north and northwest of the Tonle Sap Lake were known as the territories of Amogha Boreak and Bhima Boreak. During the Angkorian period, the territory of Amogha Boreak was a significantly prosperous and strategic area due to the fertile farmland producing much of the rice crops, fruits and vegetables that supported the empire. Extant Hindu (and later Buddhist temples in the Khmer style from the era, stone inscriptions and contemporary accounts of neighboring polities all indicate that the inhabitants of Battambang at the time were Khmer.

Between the 15th and 18th century, with the former empire of Angkor in chaotic decline, the area was invaded by the armies of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which forced Khmer landowners off their land and split up their families. From the late 18th century until early in the 20th century, the Siamese kingdom of the Chakri Dynasty ruled Battambang and placed it under the rule of the Lord Chaofa Ben family, which was later known as the Abhaiwongse family. The Franco-Siamese treaty of 1867 forced Siam to renounce suzerainty over Cambodia but allowed it to keep four Khmer provinces including Battambang, which officially became known as Phra Tabong a proper (changwat) of Thailand.

The Thai-Khmer border was altered again by the French Siamese Treaty of March 23, 1907 which obliged the Siamese to return Khmer territories that they had occupied, including Battambang and Siem Reap, in exchange for Trat and the area of Dach Se (Lao territory) in the upper catchment area of the Mekong River.

Since rejoining Cambodia, Battambang has undergone several significant administrative reorganizations in which parts of the territory were carved out to form new provinces. On December 6, 1907, King Sisowath issued a royal declaration splitting Battambang into 3 provinces: Battambang, Siem Reap and Serei Saophoan. In 1925, Battambang was divided again into two provinces: Battambang and Siem Reap, with Battambang having two districts: Battambang and Serei Sophorn. By 1940, Battambang consisted of 7 districts: Battambang, Sangkae, Moung Russei, Monkol Borei, Toeuk Chou, Serei Saophoan, and Bei Thbaung. In May 1953, Serei Sophorn district was divided into two districts: Serei Sophorn which included the newly organized Poi Pet administration and Banteay Chmar. In March 1965, the administration of Poi Pet was elevated to the status of a district in its own right and renamed O Chrov. In July 1965, part of the territory of Moung Russei was separated to become the administration of Koas Krala. In March 1966, another new district Thmar Pouk was founded and the district of Banteay Chmar was cut off from the province of Battambang for incorporation into the newly founded Oddor Meanchey province.

In the early years of the Khmer Rouge, two new districts were established: Banan and Kors Lor. During the 3 years and 9 months of the Khmer Rouge regime, Battambang saw its people evacuated from the cities and towns by Pol Pot's soldiers and relocated to remote and mountainous areas, often on opposite sides of the country. The province of Battambang, once known as the rice bowl of the country, was turned into a site of torture, killings, and starvation.

Battambang was completely liberated from the regime on January 13, 1979. At that time, the People’s Committee of commune-Sangkat was founded through the first-ever elections in 1983. Between 1979 and 1986, Battambang had 9 districts and one provincial town.

In 1986, three new districts were created: Banan, Bovel, and Ek Phnom. Until that point, Battambang had 12 districts and 1 provincial town. In 1988, however 5 districts were separated and incorporated into the newly founded province of Banteay Meanchey.

In 1998, following the integration of the last stronghold of the former Democratic Kampuchea communists, the province of Battambang saw part of its territory separated for the municipality of Pailin, while 4 new districts were established: Samlot, Kamreang, Phnom Proeuk and Sampov Loun. In 2000, part of the district of Maung Russey was split off to become the district of Koas Krala.