The Royal Residence

The Royal Residence (Khmer: ព្រះរាជដំណាក់, Preăh Réachôdâmnăk) is a royal villa located in Siem Reap, Cambodia.[1] It serves as the official residence for the King of Cambodia for when he visits Siem Reap.[2]

The Royal Residence
ព្រះរាជដំណាក់
View of The Royal Residence
General information
Architectural styleKhmer
LocationNational Road (NR) 6, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Coordinates13°21′42″N 103°51′32″E
Construction started1904

History

According to Siem Reap’s provincial information department, the villa was constructed in 1904.[3]

During the French protectorate period, it became an important site for former King Norodom Sihanouk, who was said to have used the residence to plan and launch his bid for Cambodia’s independence from France in the 1950s.[4][5][6]

In the 1990s, the villa was used by King Sihanouk to host various political figures, primarily for peace talks, amid Cambodia’s political developments, including meetings with Prime Minister Hun Sen, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, opposition politician Sam Rainsy and foreign diplomats.[7][8][9][10][11]

On 18 February 2017, King Norodom Sihamoni hosted actress Angelina Jolie and her family at the residence. Jolie was in Siem Reap at the time for the world premiere of First They Killed My Father of which she served as the director and Sihamoni as a film patron.[12][13]

On the night of 12 March 2023, a major fire broke out due to an apparent electrical fault, which damaged parts of the royal residence complex, specifically the adjacent building which serves as the office quarters of the King, though the main residential building was not affected.[14][15][16][17] Officials have pledged to rebuild the structure with works having already commenced.[18][19]

The Royal Residence today

Apart from being the official secondary royal residence for the Cambodian monarch, the villa is a frequented local site and tourist attraction in Siem Reap city, although direct entry is not permitted by members of the public. However, it can be viewed from the exterior and the adjoining Royal Independence Gardens are publicly accessible,[20][21] alongside the nearby King Master Statue and Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm shrine which are both locally revered and religiously significant.[22][23][24]

References
  1. "Visit to the Royal Residence in Siem Reap".
  2. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia/siem-reap/attractions/royal-residence/a/poi-sig/1391212/355886 Royal Residence in The Lonely Planet
  3. "Fire engulfs century-old royal residence building in Siem Reap". TheStar. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  4. "Blaze rips through Royal Residence in Siem Reap". Phnom Penh Post. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  5. "Royal Residence in Siem Reap". Cambo Tours & Travel. 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  6. "Royal Independence Gardens & Royal Residence". JustSiemReap. 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  7. CAMBODIA: KING SIHANOUK OFFERS TO MEDIATE BETWEEN WARRING FACTIONS. AP (Associated Press) Archive. Archived from the original on 1 September 1997. Retrieved 13 March 2023 – via YouTube.
  8. "CAMBODIA-PRINCE". Getty Images. 22 April 1998. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  9. "Hun Sen's olive branch has thorns". South China Morning Post. 31 July 1998. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  10. CAMBODIA: SIEM REAP: SAM RAINSY MEETS KING NORODOM SIHANOUKS. AP (Associated Press) Archive. Archived from the original on 17 September 1998. Retrieved 13 March 2023 – via YouTube.
  11. CAMBODIA: KING SIHANOUK'S REACTION TO DEATH OF POL POT. AP (Associated Press) Archive. Archived from the original on 17 April 1998. Retrieved 13 March 2023 – via YouTube.
  12. "Angelina Jolie And Kids Make First Public Appearance Since Her Split From Brad Pitt". Huffington Post. 19 February 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  13. "Cambodian royalty to open Angelina Jolie's film on Khmer Rouge survivor". USA Today. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  14. "Fire damages part of Cambodian king's residence near temple". The Washington Post. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  15. "Fire engulfs century-old royal residence building in Siem Reap". TheStar. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  16. "Blaze rips through Royal Residence in Siem Reap". Phnom Penh Post. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  17. "Pictures and Video: Fire at Royal Residence in Siem Reap". Khmer Times. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  18. "Charred Royal Residence Rebuilt". Phnom Penh Post. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  19. "PM Hun Sen: Siem Reap Royal Palace Must Be Rebuilt at Any Cost (Video inside)". Fresh News Asia. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  20. "Royal Independence Gardens & Royal Residence". JustSiemReap. 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  21. "Royal Residence in Siem Reap". Cambo Tours & Travel. 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  22. "The Pagodas of Siem Reap". Hello Angkor. 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  23. "The guardian statues". Phnom Penh Post. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  24. "Activités Royales » 2018 » Décembre » LLMM le Roi et la Reine-Mère Norodom Monineath Sihanouk". Official website of King-Father Norodom Sihanoul (Royal Cabinet). 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
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