Santuk Silk Farm

Right before the entrance to Phnom Santuk is a sign on the right side of the road for Santuk Silk Farm. It's set about 10 metres down the dirt road on the left. Tour groups occasionally come through, we were told, and they provide lunch if you let them know you're coming ahead. The organisation employs 15 local women from Svay Kal village and is run by husband-and-wife team Bud and Nevin who formerly ran a silk weaving coop for amputees in Preah Vihear.

In 2006, they opened this business. Tours are free, and they will show you the plot for Mulberry trees, whose leaves feed the silkworms, then take you into the room where the worms live and take you through the whole egg-through-molting process of making silk, which is quite interesting. Then, you can see where the silk is boiled to make it soft, and finally visit the room where the women spin the silk and eventually weave it. There's a restaurant and shop where the silks are sold, but we encountered no pressure to buy. It's a pleasant stop if you're planning to visit Phnom Santuk anyway.