Srae Samraong Commune | Kampot Province
Location
Srae Samraong Commune is situated within Chum Kiri District of Kampot Province in Cambodia. The commune borders several neighboring communes to the north, east and south and lies close to a minor tributary that flows into the larger waterways of the region. Main access routes connect it to provincial roads that lead toward the district centre and onward to Provincial Route 5.
Geography
The terrain consists mainly of flat alluvial plains with elevations generally below five metres above sea level. Seasonal flooding from monsoon rains fills low‑lying fields, creating fertile rice paddies while also supporting a network of small canals used for drainage and irrigation. Vegetation includes dispersed mangrove patches near the coastal fringe and scattered coconut groves that dot village peripheries.
Population and Households
According to the latest household registration released by the Ministry of Rural Development in 2021, Srae Samraong Commune contains approximately 3 150 dwellings. Estimates based on those records place the resident population at around four thousand two hundred persons. The households are organized into several villages that surround a central open field used for communal gatherings and local market activities.
Economic Activities
The predominant economic activity is rice cultivation. Farmers rely on natural flooding during the rainy season and supplement water supply with irrigation canals built along the tributary system. In addition to rice, secondary crops such as corn, vegetables and legumes are cultivated to diversify income. A modest segment of the population engages in small‑scale fisheries along adjacent tidal channels, harvesting shrimp, crabs and fish that are sold at weekly market stalls.
Infrastructure
Road connectivity is provided by an unpaved access road linking Srae Samraong Commune to the provincial road network near the district centre. This route facilitates regular bus services and enables transport of agricultural produce to larger urban markets in Kampot City. Electricity distribution covers most households through the national grid; mobile telephone coverage has expanded since 2018, reaching nearly all villages.
Education and Services
A primary school operates within Srae Samraong Commune, offering education up to grade six for local children. For secondary schooling, students typically travel to nearby schools in Chum Kiri District using shared motorbike taxis or bicycles. A basic health centre staffed by one qualified nurse provides routine medical care, vaccination programmes and maternal health services; more specialized treatment is available at the provincial hospital in Kampot.
Administration
Governance rests with an elected commune council chaired by a chief representative who coordinates communication between residents and higher‑level district authorities. Council members meet monthly to manage land use planning, approve public works projects such as canal maintenance, and liaise with non‑governmental organizations implementing development assistance programmes.
Historical Context
Srae Samraong Commune was formally established during the 2014 provincial restructuring that elevated traditional village clusters into recognized communes. This reform aimed to strengthen decentralised governance while preserving local identities within Cambodia’s contemporary administrative framework. The name “Samraong” originates from a type of small stream that traverses part of the commune and remains an important geographical reference for residents.
Development Outlook
Current development initiatives focus on improving water management through the construction of supplemental irrigation canals and promoting drought‑resistant seed varieties to increase rice yields. Community programmes also seek to expand access to clean drinking water by rehabilitating existing wells and installing rainwater harvesting tanks in selected households. Training sessions are being conducted to encourage sustainable fishing practices and market diversification, aiming to enhance economic resilience for the local fishery sector within Srae Samraong Commune.