History of Stoeung Proat, Chi Phat Eco Tourism site, Tmar Bang district, Koh Kong province

(Written by Ty Theavy, edited by www.ecoadventurecambodia.com)

“Stung Proat” This river was originally called Stung Khse Sornthoeung Proat, but later on it was shortened to Stung Proat. Proat means to separate from each other. The name of the river comes from the story of Prah Kor.  

A long time ago, Prah Kor was the champion fighting bull of Cambodia and the Siamese King was jealous of the Khmer people for having this great bull. Prah Kor was a magical bull, and he only ate the most delicious food in Cambodia. The King of Siam challenged Prah Kor to a fighting competition with Siam’s bull. However, the King cheated and used a mechanical bull. Prah Kor was defeated by the Siam bull, and the King wanted to capture him and take him away to further humiliate the Khmer people.  Prah Kor and his sister, Prah Keo, tried to hide amongst other cattle near the river. But the King of Siam’s fortuneteller predicted that Prah Kor would be hiding in this place, and Siamese soldiers came to capture him with magic ropes that Prah Kor could not break. As a result, he was separated from the other cattle and captured. Since then, the river is called Stung Khse Sonthoeung Pruoat, which means “Stretching Ropes to Separate”.

This is the original script:

Stoeung Proth (Proth River)

This river is a sea inlet linked to Chi Phat Stream. Before it was called Stoeung Khse Sornthoeung Proth, but later on it was shortened to Stoeung Proth. Proth means to separate from each other. The name of the river comes from the story of Prah Kor.

A long time ago, near to the river Prah Kor and his brother, Prah Keo, hid from the King of Siam. Prah Kor was the champion fighting bull of Cambodia and the Siamese King was jealous of the Khmer people for having this great bull. Prah Kor was a magical bull; he only ate the most delicious food in Cambodia. The King challenged Prah Kor to a fighting competition with Siam’s bull. However, Siam cheated and used a mechanical bull. When Prah Kor was defeated by the Siam bull, the King wanted to capture and take him away to further humiliate the Khmer people.  So Prah Kor tried to hide amongst other cattle near to the inlet. But the King of Siam’s fortune teller predicted that Prah Kor would be hiding in this place, and soldiers came to capture him with magic ropes that Prah Kor could not fight. As a result, he was separated from the other cattle and captured by Siam. So we call the river Stoeung Khse Sonthoeung Prath, which means “Stretching Ropes to Separate” river.