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Pailin at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Province Name | Pailin |
| Type | Province |
| Area | 803 km² |
| Population (2024) | ~75,000 |
What Pailin Is Famous For
Gem and ruby mining City of Gems, sapphires, last Khmer Rouge stronghold to surrender in 1996, and unique Khmer Surin culture
Famous Places and Attractions
Phnom Yat Temple and Shrine, Pailin Gem Market, ruby and sapphire mining sites, Kbal Romeas border area, Stung Kach River
Tourism
~80,000 visitors/year
Food and Local Cuisine
Surin-style sticky rice, grilled meats with unique spice blends, fresh dragon fruit and rambutan grown locally, gemstone miners hearty stews
History of Pailin
Pailin has been famous for its gemstones for centuries. Khmer kings and foreign traders coveted the rubies and sapphires extracted from this region. The Khmer Rouge used gem revenues to fund their operations and Pailin was the last area to fall under government control when Khmer Rouge commander Ei Chien defected in 1996. The province has a large Khmer Surin population, ethnic Khmer who migrated from Thailand's Surin Province, giving Pailin its unique cultural character.