Takeo Province is preparing to unveil a statue of a freshwater prawn on October 30, 2026, following the completion of construction on the surface of Takeo Lake in Doun Kaev City. The landmark has been developed by the provincial administration to promote one of the province’s best-known local products and encourage more visitors to explore Takeo’s food culture and tourism attractions.
The statue celebrates Takeo freshwater prawns, which are recognised for their quality and taste and have been registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) product since 2022.
Key Facts
Location: Takeo Lake, Doun Kaev City, Takeo Province
Scheduled inauguration: October 30, 2026
Purpose: Promote Takeo’s freshwater prawns and attract domestic and international visitors
GI registration: Takeo freshwater prawns received Geographical Indication registration in 2022
Annual production: Approximately 70–80 tonnes
Supply to the domestic market: Around 30 tonnes annually
Takeo Builds a Landmark Around Its Signature Freshwater Prawns
The freshwater prawn statue has been completed on Takeo Lake as part of the provincial administration’s effort to highlight products with strong local identity and economic potential.
The location in Doun Kaev City is intended to give visitors a recognisable attraction associated with Takeo’s agricultural and food heritage. Its inauguration is scheduled for October 30.
By placing the statue on the lake, the province is using a public landmark to draw attention to a product that is already known beyond the local market.
Takeo Freshwater Prawns Hold Geographical Indication Status
Takeo freshwater prawns are recognised for their quality and distinctive taste. The product was registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) in 2022.
GI registration is intended to help protect the product's identity and prevent misrepresentation or counterfeiting in the marketplace. It also helps distinguish products associated with a particular geographical origin.
For Takeo, this recognition provides a foundation for promoting the province's freshwater prawns as a local specialty and encouraging consumers to identify the product with its place of origin.
Takeo Produces Up to 80 Tonnes of Freshwater Prawns Annually
Takeo Provincial Governor Vy Samnang said the province produces approximately 70 to 80 tonnes of freshwater prawns each year.
Of this volume, around 30 tonnes are supplied to the domestic market, according to the governor.
The figures highlight the role of freshwater prawn production in the province's local economy. However, the available report does not specify the destination of the remaining production, the number of producers involved, or the total market value of the industry.
A New Attraction for Food and Tourism Promotion
The statue is intended to encourage both Cambodian and international tourists to visit Takeo and experience its freshwater prawns directly.
Food-related attractions can help connect local products with tourism by giving visitors a reason to explore a destination, discover regional specialties and support local businesses.
The statue could therefore serve as a visual symbol for Takeo's food identity while complementing efforts to promote the province as a tourism destination.
The provincial administration has not, however, announced visitor targets, a tourism campaign schedule or projected economic returns associated with the landmark.
Angkor Times Analysis: Turning a Local Product into a Tourism Identity
Takeo's freshwater prawn statue represents an approach to destination promotion that connects a recognisable local product with a physical tourism landmark.
The province already has two useful foundations: a product with GI registration and an annual production volume estimated at 70–80 tonnes. The statue adds a public-facing attraction that can help make the product more visible to visitors.
The next opportunity is to connect the landmark with a broader visitor experience. This could include clear visitor information, local restaurants serving Takeo prawns, product identification and opportunities to purchase authentic local products.
For the GI designation to deliver stronger commercial value, awareness among consumers and consistent protection against counterfeit products will also matter.
The statue's long-term contribution will depend not only on the inauguration itself, but also on how effectively the province connects the landmark with local producers, food businesses and tourism services.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Takeo freshwater prawn statue be inaugurated?
The statue is scheduled to be inaugurated on October 30, 2026.
Where is the statue located?
It has been built on Takeo Lake in Doun Kaev City, Takeo Province.
Why is Takeo building a freshwater prawn statue?
The provincial administration aims to promote freshwater prawns as one of Takeo's potential signature products and attract domestic and international tourists.
When did Takeo freshwater prawns receive GI registration?
Takeo freshwater prawns were registered as a Geographical Indication product in 2022.
How much freshwater prawn does Takeo produce annually?
According to provincial governor Vy Samnang, Takeo produces approximately 70–80 tonnes annually, with around 30 tonnes supplied to the domestic market.