Kratie (pronounce: Krachèh) is a provincial backwater along the Mekong river, roughly 315 km northeast of Phnom Penh.
Though the town and surroundings are pleasant enough, Kratie's main attraction are the freshwater, or Irrawaddy Dolphins in the Mekong river north of the town.
Despite what some guide books might tell you, there is no river transport to Kratie. Fast boats from Phnom Penh to Kratie and further north to Stung Treng have been discontinued years ago. There is occasional river transport from both Stung Treng and Kompong Cham to Kratie, but with the upgrading of roads in the region there's not much demand.
Though the town and surroundings are pleasant enough, Kratie's main attraction are the freshwater, or Irrawaddy Dolphins in the Mekong river north of the town.
Despite what some guide books might tell you, there is no river transport to Kratie. Fast boats from Phnom Penh to Kratie and further north to Stung Treng have been discontinued years ago. There is occasional river transport from both Stung Treng and Kompong Cham to Kratie, but with the upgrading of roads in the region there's not much demand.
Kratie is a laid-back friendly town, very similar to Kampot in southern Cambodia, but to be honest the place in itself does not have a lot of attractions. Travellers are staying overnight in town on their way to or from Laos, or they visit Kratie for its prime attraction: freshwater dolphins.
These Irrawaddy dolphins are named after the river in Myanmar, where they also have their habitat. Cambodians believe these water creatures are half human and half fish. Not difficult to understand, when you spot these dolphins with their rounded head and a straight mouth instead of a beak like their seawater cousins.
These Irrawaddy dolphins are named after the river in Myanmar, where they also have their habitat. Cambodians believe these water creatures are half human and half fish. Not difficult to understand, when you spot these dolphins with their rounded head and a straight mouth instead of a beak like their seawater cousins.
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