Wat Slaeng (Kampong Thom)

Also recorded as Wat Sleng, it is a contemporary monastery with two pagoda, one very recent and the other dating to 1852 that houses remains of a much older ancient site. Those remains are numerous, including lintels, caitya, boundary markers, sema stones, and pedestals of diverse eras.

Four of the lintels are set into the balan of the pagoda which is then topped with an array of artifacts as mentioned. There are also remains that some researchers speculate may belong to “cella” similar to that known as N17 at Sambor Prei Kuk.

It’s quite interesting that the era of these ancient and old remnants cover, at lay guess, from somewhere around the 7th through to the 15th centuries. This is the second time visiting Wat Slaeng, the first time, no one was around to unlock the pagoda but this visit with a kind friend for company and assistance, we located the keeper of the site who kindly opened the pagoda and chatted for some time about the site. The site is in good hands and they have sensibly added security cameras to keep watch of this very special place.

The site was set for demolition to make way for the new pagoda but fortunately, superstition prevailed and the new pagoda was constructed to one side as we see today.

The four lintels inside around the base of the balan.

The balan and its array of contemporary and ancient remnants including pedestals, boundary markers, statuary, and a stupa/caitya.

Remains outside the east entrance including sandstone slab, two lintels, pedestal and sema stone.

Murals inside the pagoda were updated in the late 80s.

The new pagoda has taken over daily activities

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap. Rodney Charles L'Huillier has spent over seven years in Cambodia and is the author of Ancient Cambodia (2024) and Essential Siem Reap (2017, 2019). Contact via [email protected] - more..