Wat Phnom Yat, built by Sham migrants from Myanmar in 1922 is a holy place for worship in the heart of Pailin. It includes an old pagoda, similar to the Kola pagoda. With loads of folk tales and legends in the area, the wat is the centre of popular devotion, for residents of Pailin and visitors alike. There are many ancient structures on Phnom Yat, including big and small stupas and Asroms or hermitages, places for meditation. 

At the foot of Phnom Yat is another pagoda, Wat Rattanak Sopoan. On the walls of the enclosure surrounding the pagoda is a bas-relief depicting the Hindu saga of the churning of the Ocean of Milk.

After the liberation of Cambodia in 1979, Pailin remained a stronghold of the Khmer Rouge under Brother Number Three, Ieng Sary. Heavy fighting took place in the area between government troops and Khmers Rouges. The close proximity to the Thai border allowed the Khmer Rouge to trade with and receive supplies from Thailand, which enabled them to continue their insurgency. In late 1996, after animosity with the Khmer Rouge leadership in Anlong Veng, Ieng Sary, defected to the Royal government and in return he was allowed to continue to run Pailin as a semi-autonomous province. Pailin was then detached from Batambang province and became a Krong or municipality. It has kept its own police force and militia from the Khmer Rouge days, though now the uniforms are government issue.

Near the border crossing with Thailand are some casinos which have mainly Thai clientele who come to Cambodia to gamble as gambling is illegal in Thailand.

 Pailin Tales
Cambodia Less Travelled
Pailin Gem Mines
Cambodia Gemstones
Cambodia Page

Chek 100 Snett