Te Teuk Pus geothermal site is located in Oral district’s Sangke Satob commune, about 110 kilometres from Phnom Penh. Kampong Speu provincial administration
The Te Teuk Pus (Hot Water) geothermal site is being developed into a community-protected natural area and nature tourism corridor, adding to the almost 200 community-based conservation sites that the Ministry of Environment manages, across 15 provinces.
This initiative is part of the Khnang Phsar Tourism Development Project in Kampong Speu province, and follows a recent directive from Prime Minister Hun Manet, who has ordered that sustainable development be targeted at benefiting local communities.
Te Teuk Pus is located in Oral district’s Sangke Satob commune, about 60 kilometres from Kampong Speu town and 110 kilometres from Phnom Penh.
A rare geothermal site, its water temperatures reach up to 70°C. The six hot springs in the area emit water with a scent similar to sulfur and limestone. They cover an 80-square-metre water surface within a 5-hectare natural area filled with tall grass, reeds and red sandstone.
According to the provincial administration, the Suoy indigenous people believe Te Teuk Pus is a sacred site that brings good fortune to visitors. It is also believed to have healing properties, with some locals claiming that washing one's face in its clear waters can help cure ailments.
On March 24, Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth convened a meeting with relevant ministerial working groups to discuss the development of Te Teuk Pus into a community-protected natural area and an eco-tourism site.
Environment minister Eang Sophalleth (pictured with map), leads an inspection of the hot pools at Te Teuk Pus, in Kampot province. Kampong Speu provincial administration
During the meeting, three key priority action plans were outlined.
First, an immediate inspection of the site must be conducted, with results expected within a week.
In addition, the environment ministry will collect data from the vendors around TeTeuk Pus and organise a clean and hygienic market space for them.
Finally, a land-use site plan will be finalised, ensuring that it remains state property for public benefit, in line with high-level government recommendations.
As of 2024, Cambodia had established 193 community-protected areas, covering 332,108 hectares, with over 70,000 households across 15 provinces.
Ministry spokesperson Khvay Atitya explained that the establishment of community-protected areas aims to empower local communities living in or near these areas to sustainably manage and utilise natural resources.
Cambodia’s total protected natural area spans over 7 million hectares, accounting for 41% of the country’s land.
However, the environment ministry has just 1,000 rangers (including 34 women) to patrol these vast areas. This underscores the need for community involvement in conservation efforts, he added.
Beyond conservation, community participation also provides livelihood opportunities such as livestock farming, rice cultivation, trade and tourism services, shifting reliance away from forest products and unsustainable resource extraction, noted Atitya.
“The community we plan to establish at Te Teuk Pus will receive support in livelihood protection, financial assistance and infrastructure development from the government,” he said.
Additionally, the indigenous Suoy people in the area will have greater opportunities to preserve their traditional culture and customs.
About 20 years ago, the government granted a 900-hectare, 70-year tourism development license for Te Teuk Pus to a Chinese real estate company, New Cosmos Development (Cambodia) Co., Ltd.
The plan included high-rise constructions within the area. However, the project was later revoked as the company failed to proceed with the development.
