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Cambodia’s largest copper statue erected in coastal Preah Sihanouk
The statue spans 99m in diameter and sits on a throne that is 6m high.
Orm Bunthoeurn

Design illustration of the statue erected in Preah Sihanouk province. Preah Sihanouk Administration
March 30, 2022

PHNOM PENH – The largest copper statue in Cambodia, weighing 60 tonnes and towering 21m high and depicting Preah Thong and Neang Neak – the legendary co-founders of the Funan Kingdom – are being erected at their namesake roundabout at Prey Nop district’s Ream commune in the coastal province of Preah Sihanouk.

Provincial administration spokesman Kheang Phearom said the statue of the symbolic monarchs was designed by Cambodian architects and smelted in China. It arrived in the province on March 26.

Of the origins of the statue, which faces the Ream Beach, Phearom said: “The King went to meet his parents at Than Phu Chong Neak, which symbolises the birth of the land, culture, civilisation, traditions and customs of Cambodia.”

The statue of the couple is the third in Preah Sihanouk province after that of Preah Uma-Mahesor in Ream commune and the three-faced Siharaj statue in front of Angkor Brewery in Sihanoukville’s commune I.

The statue spans 99m in diameter and sits on a throne that is 6m high.

In a Facebook post, the provincial administration said that after the statue arrived at the site, provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun had inspected the insallation and instructed workers to speed up erecting it.

“After we install the statue of Preah Thong and Neang Neak, Preah Sihanouk province will be a more attractive place for people, especially domestic and international tourists,” it said.
https://asianews.network/cambodias-larg ... -sihanouk/

Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia, 7 April 2022.

Work in progress...

It looks fantastic.

Long article:
Modern master sculpts majestic monument
Raksmey Hong | Publication date 10 April 2022 | 20:52 ICT

Sok Chamreoun standing in front of his gigantic copper creation and the heavy equipment raising it. SUPPLIED

Though most people associate ancient Cambodian history with the Khmer Empire, Angkor Wat and legendary kings like Suryavarman II or Jayavarman VII, the history of Cambodia stretches back even further than that.

From the first to sixth centuries CE, there existed the kingdom of Funan, which was centred in the Mekong delta and stretched along Cambodia’s southern coast. Much of what we know about it comes from the writings of two Chinese diplomats sent there in the third century CE, but legendary tales about Funan have continued on as part of Khmer culture even up to the present day.

One such story is the tale of Preah Thong and Neang Neak, which is still performed as a traditional opera by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia. Though there are several versions of the story its basic premise is a tale of romance and marriage between a king and a Naga woman.

According to legend, Preah Thong fell in love with Neang Neak at first sight when he saw her dancing on the beach with other Naga women, leading to their marriage where Preah Thong lifted his new wife’s veil and they – through their descendants – are considered the symbolic source of Khmer culture, civilization, traditions and customs.

One of the ways the legend has lived on as an active part of Cambodian culture is the ceremonial lifting of the veil between newlyweds at their wedding ceremony – a direct call back to Preah Thong lifting the veil of Neang Neak.

Now, an enormous monument depicting that legendary occurrence is being erected at a beautiful beach in Sihanoukville in the region of Cambodia that was once the Funan kingdom where it all is said to have occurred.

At a time of day when most people are home relaxing and eating their dinners, Sok Chamroeun and his team were hard at work hurrying to complete the installation of the statues in time for the upcoming Khmer New Year holiday.

“Neither I nor anyone else in our whole nation – nobody – has ever attempted such a large sculpture project,” copper sculptor and owner of Norak Singh Handicrafts tells the The Post.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/lifestyle ... c-monument

More photos from Khmer news online:

Much better than any pretentious conceptual bullshit in the shape of nothing usually found on lost roundabouts in my area ^^

This like looks like a zero (or an anus, your choice).


Nice to see a big traditional shape when arriving by the road. Let's hope no Mc D signs or else around....for the sake of photo & selfies

Rode past there this morning (cops every 200 meters along a busy route 4) turned down to the coast by the airport, more cops, empty roads, made it to the giant roundabout, where I stopped by the now fully assembled statues intending to take a picture, a cop and a military guy were in my face instantly, “no picture until later, move along”
I tried to ride into Sihanoukville along the coast road, everywhere road blocked, cops redirecting traffic away from the coast. Assuming there’s some big unveiling ceremony happening today, big guy in attendance? (no, not Joe Biden)
To avoid any more chew, I returned back along route 4, never got my picture.

^ Here's why:



PM and Spouse Visit “Preah Thong Neang Neak” Statue
AKP Preah Sihanouk, April 13, 2022—
Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HE and his spouse Samdech Kittiprittpundit Bun Rany HE pose for a photo at the 21-metre-tall “Preah Thong Neang Neak” statue to be officially inaugurated on April 16, during an inspection visit of new achievements in Prey Nup district, Preah Sihanouk province this morning.
Photo: Ngou Somony & Kok Ky
AKP

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Wed Apr 13, 2022 3:08 pm ^ Here's why:



PM and Spouse Visit “Preah Thong Neang Neak” Statue
AKP Preah Sihanouk, April 13, 2022—
Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HE and his spouse Samdech Kittiprittpundit Bun Rany HE pose for a photo at the 21-metre-tall “Preah Thong Neang Neak” statue to be officially inaugurated on April 16, during an inspection visit of new achievements in Prey Nup district, Preah Sihanouk province this morning.
Photo: Ngou Somony & Kok Ky
AKP

So is Neang Neak the daughter of a serpent or dragon type creature?

Wife is saying it’s a dragon but everywhere else on the internet says a serpent, including Khmer movies?