Of course. Here is a special report, News 2500, with multiple articles exploring the history, symbolism, and significance of the temples featured on Cambodia’s 2000 Riel banknotes.
News 2500 Special Report: The Temples in Your Wallet
Article 1: More Than Just Money: The Enduring Legacy of Temples on Cambodia’s 2000 Riel Note
KRONG KRACHEH, Cambodia – For millions of Cambodians, the 2000 Riel note is a daily tool for commerce, used to buy everything from a bowl of kuy teav to a bottle of water. But folded within its fabric is more than just monetary value; it is a pocket-sized gallery of the nation’s soul, showcasing the architectural marvels that define the Khmer identity.
Over the years, two distinct versions of the 2000 Riel note have circulated, each telling a different chapter of Cambodia’s story through its choice of temples. The earlier, widely recognized note, first issued in 2007, is a powerful statement of national heritage and sovereignty. Its obverse (front) is dominated by the majestic image of Prasat Preah Vihear, the cliff-top temple that has been a source of immense national pride and a potent symbol of Cambodian territory.
On the reverse of that same note, an idyllic scene of rice farmers at work unfolds before the iconic lotus-bud towers of Angkor Wat, the heart of the ancient Khmer Empire and the country’s most famous landmark. This combination solidified the note’s theme: celebrating both the spiritual heights and the agrarian foundations of the Kingdom.
More recently, a new 2000 Riel banknote issued in 2022 shifted the focus, signaling a new era of heritage promotion. This note features the imposing pyramid of Prasat Thom at Koh Ker, the 10th-century capital of the Khmer Empire. This move brought a lesser-known, yet historically vital, temple complex into the daily lives of Cambodians, just a year before it was officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
“A nation’s currency is a reflection of its values and what it holds sacred,” commented Dr. Chea Vandeth, a fictional historian based in Phnom Penh. “By placing these temples on the 2000 Riel note, the National Bank of Cambodia ensures that every citizen carries a piece of their history. It’s a daily reminder of the ingenuity, resilience, and enduring spirit of the Khmer people.”
From the contested cliffs of Preah Vihear to the rediscovered grandeur of Koh Ker, the 2000 Riel note serves as a tangible link to a glorious past, transforming a simple financial transaction into an act of remembrance.
Article 2: A Symbol of Sovereignty: How Preah Vihear Temple Defined a Banknote
KRONG KRACHEH, Cambodia – Long before it graced the 2000 Riel banknote, Prasat Preah Vihear was etched into the Cambodian consciousness as a jewel of Khmer architecture and a symbol of national sovereignty. Its depiction on the currency was not merely an aesthetic choice; it was a profound political and cultural declaration.
Perched atop a 525-meter cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, the temple has been a sacred site for over a millennium. Its true global and political prominence, however, was cemented in the 20th century. The temple became the subject of a decades-long territorial dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, which was ultimately settled in Cambodia’s favor by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962.
The inclusion of Preah Vihear on the 2007 banknote served as a quiet but firm daily referendum on that verdict. At a time of renewed tensions, the note reinforced Cambodia’s ownership in the most public way possible. In 2008, the temple was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, further solidifying its international status and its importance to the Kingdom.
For the generation that grew up with this note, the image of Preah Vihear is inseparable from concepts of national pride and territorial integrity. “When you see the temple on the money, you don’t just see an old building,” says Srey Leak, a 45-year-old teacher in Kratié. “You remember the stories your parents told you. You remember that it is ours, and we must protect it. It is a very proud feeling.”
While newer notes have entered circulation, the Preah Vihear banknote remains a powerful artifact, representing a time when currency became a canvas for broadcasting a nation’s unshakeable claim to its heritage.
Article 3: The Changing Face of the Riel: Koh Ker’s Rise to Prominence Signals New Era for Cambodian Heritage
KRONG KRACHEH, Cambodia – The introduction of the 2022-edition 2000 Riel note marked a significant strategic shift in how Cambodia presents itself to the world and to its own people. By replacing the iconic Preah Vihear with the enigmatic temple complex of Koh Ker, the nation signaled a deliberate effort to broaden its cultural narrative beyond the universally recognized Angkor Wat.
Koh Ker, located in Preah Vihear province, was the capital of the Khmer Empire for a brief but glorious period in the 10th century under King Jayavarman IV. Its most striking feature, depicted on the new banknote, is Prasat Thom, a seven-tiered pyramid temple that stands in stark contrast to the temple-mountain style of Angkor. For centuries, its remote location left it in the shadow of its more famous cousin.
The decision to feature Koh Ker on the new banknote was prescient. In September 2023, the archaeological site was officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a major victory for Cambodian conservation and cultural diplomacy. The banknote effectively served as a year-long national campaign, familiarizing the population with this new jewel in the country’s heritage crown.
“Featuring Koh Ker is a forward-looking move,” stated a representative from the Ministry of Tourism in a recent interview. “It diversifies our tourism portfolio and encourages both Cambodians and international visitors to explore the incredible depth of our history. It says, ‘We are more than just Angkor Wat.’ We have a vast tapestry of history, and Koh Ker is a vital part of it.”
This new note is not just currency; it is an invitation. It invites citizens to discover another chapter of their epic history and signals to the world that the Kingdom of Wonder has many more stories yet to tell.
Article 4: A Pocket-Sized History Lesson: Local Views on the 2000 Riel Note in Kratié
KRONG KRACHEH, Cambodia – In the bustling riverside market of Krong Kracheh, the crisp 2000 Riel notes pass from hand to hand. For many, it’s just money. But for those who take a moment to look, it’s a connection to a world far from the banks of the Mekong.
Bun Thorn, a 62-year-old vendor selling grilled bananas, smooths out an older, well-worn 2000 Riel note featuring Prasat Preah Vihear. “This one, this one is strong,” he says, tapping the image of the cliff-top temple. “It reminds us that we are a strong country with a history the world respects. Every Cambodian knows Preah Vihear.”
A few stalls down, a young student, Chanlina, pays for her phone credit with a newer note—the one showing Koh Ker. “Our teacher told us about this temple last year when it got the big UNESCO award,” she explains. “Before I saw it on the money, I didn’t know its name. Now, I see it every day. It makes me want to visit a place that isn’t Angkor Wat.”
This generational shift in awareness is precisely the quiet power of the currency. The banknotes act as a national primer, disseminating cultural knowledge across provinces and age groups. For the older generation, the 2000 Riel note is a symbol of established pride and hard-won sovereignty. For the younger generation, it is a spark of curiosity, introducing them to the vast, sprawling map of their own heritage.
Whether it’s a reminder of a celebrated past or an introduction to a rediscovered treasure, the 2000 Riel note, in both its forms, proves that in Cambodia, history is not confined to museums and ancient sites. It is a living story, folded neatly in the pockets of its people.
