Kandal | Cambodia

Kandal, which surrounds the national capital of Phnom Penh, is Cambodia's primary economic engine and infrastructure corridor. As of January 21, 2026, the province is the epicenter of the nation's most ambitious structural projects, including the newly operational Techo Takhmao International Airport and the ongoing excavation of the Funan Techo Canal.

Historical Timeline

1618–1866: Served as the site of Oudong, the capital of Cambodia, before the royal court moved to Phnom Penh.

1945: Officially established as a province of Cambodia.

2024: Launch of the Royal Group Kandal Special Economic Zone (RGKSEZ), a 120-hectare industrial park.

2025–2026: Transformation into the nation's primary aviation hub with the closure of commercial operations at the old Phnom Penh airport.

Demographics & Population (2026)

The provincial population is approximately 1,352,200.

Density: One of the most densely populated provinces at roughly 447 people per $km^2$.

Urban Center: Ta Khmau is the provincial capital, acting as a seamless southern extension of the Phnom Penh metropolitan area.

Economic Profile: Home to the largest concentration of garment factories in Cambodia, employing hundreds of thousands of workers across various special economic zones.

Top Landmarks & Attractions

Techo Takhmao International Airport (KTI): Located 19km south of Phnom Penh; officially inaugurated on October 20, 2025. It is a world-class 4F-class airport designed by Foster + Partners.

Phnom Oudong: The "Mountain of the Royal Fortune," featuring stupas containing the remains of several Khmer kings and offering expansive views of the surrounding plains.

Koh Dach (Silk Island): A riverside island in the Mekong known for its traditional high-quality silk weaving and rural atmosphere.

Funan Techo Canal Ground Zero: The Preak Takeo tributary in Kandal marks the start of the $1.7 billion canal, currently under active excavation as of January 2026.

Tsubasa Bridge (Neak Loeung Bridge): A major Japanese-funded cable-stayed bridge crossing the Mekong, linking Kandal to Prey Veng.

Transportation & Infrastructure (2026)

Aviation: As of January 21, 2026, Techo International Airport serves as the sole commercial gateway for the capital region. The first phase currently handles up to 13 million passengers annually.

Funan Techo Canal: Excavation work is currently concentrated in Koh Thom district. The project aims to link the Mekong River to the sea at Kep, bypassing Vietnamese ports.

Roads: National Road 4 (NR4) is undergoing a major expansion from Kandal to Sihanoukville, slated for completion in December 2026.

Industrial Expansion: The Royal Group Kandal SEZ is now operational, projected to create approximately 20,000 new jobs in the manufacturing sector.

Current Status (January 21, 2026)

Weather: Peak dry season. Today is partly cloudy with a high of 34°C (93°F) and a low of 23°C (73°F).

Air Quality: The AQI is currently Moderate (86). PM2.5 levels are recorded at $28\ \mu g/m^3$ due to increased construction and industrial activity.

Safety: Designated as a Safe Zone. Kandal is geographically removed from the border conflict in the northwest and remains highly stable.

Investment: On January 9, 2026, the government confirmed that fixed-asset investment projects in the region surged by 45% year-on-year throughout 2025.

Local Cost Index (USD)

Ferry to Silk Island: $1.00 – $2.00

Tuk-Tuk (Ta Khmau to Central PP): $4.00 – $7.00

Traditional Kandal Ceramic: $3.00 – $15.00

Airport Shuttle (KTI to City Center): $15.00 – $25.00

Facts & Legends

A verified historical oddity: Kandal is the only province in Cambodia that completely encircles another administrative entity (Phnom Penh), making it the "donut" of the country's geography. A local legend surrounding Phnom Oudong claims that a massive "gold-spitting" dragon once lived inside the mountain. During the 17th century, a Chinese emperor, fearing the dragon would make Cambodia more powerful than China, sent engineers to "pin" the dragon by building a stupa on its head and tail, supposedly explaining the specific placement of the mountain's most famous structures.