Srae Knong Commune | Kampot Province
Location
Srae Knong Commune is situated within Chum Kiri District of Kampot Province, Cambodia. The commune lies on a low‑lying alluvial plain that slopes gently toward the south‑west coastline near the Gulf of Thailand. It borders several other communes and is accessible via secondary roads that connect to Provincial Route 3.
Geography
The terrain consists mainly of flat rice paddies interspersed with narrow drainage canals fed by seasonal rains and minor streams. Elevation does not exceed five metres above sea level, making the area highly susceptible to flooding during the monsoon season from June through October. Vegetation includes clusters of mangrove trees along tidal waterways and occasional coconut groves near the village outskirts.
Population and Households
According to the latest official household registration released by the Ministry of Rural Development in 2021, Srae Knong Commune contains approximately 2 980 dwellings. Based on these records, the estimated resident population is around three thousand nine hundred persons. The households are organized into several villages that surround a central open field used for communal gatherings and local markets.
Economic Activities
The primary economic activity in the commune is rice cultivation. Farmers rely on natural flooding to irrigate low‑lying paddies during the rainy season, while supplemental irrigation canals provide water during drier months. Secondary crops such as corn, lentils, and vegetables are also planted to diversify income. In addition, a modest number of families engage in small‑scale fisheries along adjacent tidal channels, harvesting shrimp and fish that support local markets twice weekly.
Infrastructure
Srae Knong Commune is linked to the provincial road network through an unpaved access road that joins Provincial Route 5 approximately five kilometres east of the district centre. This route enables regular bus services and facilitates the transport of agricultural produce to larger urban markets in Kampot City. Electricity is provided by the national grid, with most households connected to power lines; mobile phone coverage has expanded since 2017 across the majority of the commune.
Education and Services
The commune operates a primary school that offers instruction up to grade six for local children. To continue secondary education, students typically travel to neighboring schools within Chum Kiri District, often using shared motorbike taxis or bicycles. A basic health centre staffed by one qualified nurse provides routine medical care, immunizations and maternal health services; more specialized treatment is available at the provincial hospital in Kampot.
Administration
Governance of Srae Knong Commune rests with an elected commune council chaired by a chief representative who coordinates communication between residents and district authorities. Council members meet on a monthly basis to oversee land use planning, approve public works projects such as canal maintenance, and liaise with non‑governmental organizations that implement development assistance programs.
Historical Context
Administratively, Srae Knong Commune was formalised during the 2010 provincial restructuring that converted traditional village clusters into official communes. This reform aimed to strengthen decentralized governance while preserving local identities within Cambodia’s contemporary administrative framework. The name Srae refers to a small stream that traverses the area and remains an important landmark for residents.
Current Development Outlook
Recent initiatives focus on improving water management through the installation of supplemental irrigation canals and promoting drought‑resistant seed varieties that increase rice yields. Community programs also aim to expand access to clean drinking water by rehabilitating existing wells and providing rainwater harvesting tanks for rural households. Training sessions are conducted to encourage sustainable fishing practices and to enhance market awareness, enabling owners of small fisheries to achieve greater economic resilience as Srae Knong Commune continues its steady development trajectory.