Archive for KOH KONG

Koh Kong

Koh Kong is now became one of City in Cambodia in 2009, situated in the South-West of Cambodia. ‘Koh’ means ‘island’ in Khmer, and much of the province consists of tiny islands, divided by water from the Gulf of Thailand.

When speaking of Koh Kong, one refers to two parts – the mainland portion accessible from Phnom Penh by car, and the island accessible by boat from Sre Ambel Town in the North or Sihanoukville Town in the South – it takes four hours from both cities to reach the provincial capital in the middle. (Actually, when driving to Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh on road #4, one passes through the mainland portion of Koh Kong).

Though still an isolated, remote corner of Cambodia, Koh Kong is beginning to see more backpacker traffic, as many tourists are now crossing the border into and out of Thailand here, traveling from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, catching the boat to Koh Kong, crossing the border and then traveling to Bangkok by road. This land and water trip from Phnom Penh to Bangkok can be done in one day.

The island is only 80 km away from Thailand’s island Koh Chang. This part of Cambodia is still relatively undeveloped for tourism but the potential is enormous. Koh Kong Island off the coast is an undiscovered paradise and the Government of Cambodia hopes to build infrastructure to attract overseas tourists in the future. There are flights from Phnom Penh and boats from Kampong Som.

The province is subdivided into 8 districts.

• 0901 Botum Sakor

• 0902 Kiri Sakor

• 0903 Kaoh Kong

• 0904 Smach Mean Chey

• 0905 Mondol Seima

• 0906 Srae Ambel

• 0907 Thma Bang

• 0908 Kampong Seila

>Entertainment

There are over all seventeen resort places in Koh Kong, including Cham Yeam resort, Kbal Chhay E91 Waterfall, Kbal Chhay Prek Koh Waterfall, Kbal Chhay Resort, Khun Chhang Khun Phen resort, Koh Kong Krov Beach, Koh Mool Resort, Koh Sdach Beach, Koh Smach Beach, Lam Da Beach, Prek Chik O’serey Sranash, Prek Ta Nuon Beach, Sner Beach, Ta Tay Waterfall, Toektlak Kbal Chhay Prek Chiphat,Veal Kachaut Waterfall and Cardamom Mountain range. And in Koh Kong, there is also nightlife entertainments, such as “Red Zone” located 4 km south east of the traffic circle.

Cham Yeam Resort

Locates at Mondul Sey Ma District, at the Cambodia-Thailand border in eight-kilometer distance from the provincial town of Koh Kong.

Cham Yeam is the natural and man-made resort, which organized by Neak Ouk Nka Li Yung Phat in 1997. Nowadays, Cham Yeam has been organized as the international tourist resort, in which there are five star hotel, guesthouses, casino and other entertainment. At Cham Yeam, there are a lot of coconut trees planted in chess line. Cham Yeam has beautiful scenery and can attract many tourists, especially Thai tourists. The border checkpoint of Cham Yeam opened from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs and from 22:00 to 22:30 hrs.

King Island (Koh Sdach)

The islands of Koh Sdiek or King Island (as it is translated) are still largely unexplored by tourists. This is mainly due to the security situation as the area has been used as a stepping stone for smugglers for many years. The main island, and those islands close to the main island, is mostly fine and safe for tourists to spend a few relaxing days or a week.

Found in the middle of the south coast in between Koh Kong and Sihanoukville, Koh S’diek is among a group of about 14 islands and is the main stopover point for the ferries traveling between these two points.

There are two guest houses on the island. They can be found by turning left down the main road once you get off the ferry. The first one you come to will appear friendly as long as you cannot speak Khmer, otherwise the complaints form the landlords better half may cause problems. The second guest house is smaller but more welcoming and is run by an old, rather large Chinese lady and her granddaughter. Mind your step as you walk in as the Chinese lady may be receiving one of her daily massages from her granddaughter.

The snorkeling on Koh S’diek is definitely worthwhile – unless you’ve just come from the Great Barrier Reef or the Maldives. There are many juveniles of rare species which can be spotted there – including the Barramundi Cod. There are several spots you can go including one which is accessible straight from the main island.

To get there follow the main road as it parallels the beach. When the road takes a sharp right to go up the hill to the Wat, continue on straight through all the fishermen’s huts. Go past all the huts until you see only one house left down the other end of the beach. Go past this house (watch out for the dogs) and then go inland and over to the other side of the island (about 200m). Then keep heading along the beach away from the settlement over to get as close as you can to a small island you will see a little offshore.

The snorkeling in between these islands is great, but best to do it on a high slack tide as the current can get quite strong as it goes over the reef.

How to get there: From Phnom Penh catch a taxi to Srei Abul or Sihanoukville. This will depend on whether you prefer to travel by boat or by road. If you prefer road then go to Sihanoukville, if by sea then go to Srei Abul. Then catch the ferry to Koh Kong. The first stop the ferry get’s to is Koh S’Diek.

An easier way is to catch a small boat around to the smaller island from the main port. This should not cost more than US$3.00.

Then you will have the island all to yourself. Be wary of stone fish in the shallow waters!

It is best to take US dollars or Thai baht with you as these are generally more accepted. You will find the shops are chock-a-block with all sorts of goods (probably due to the high rate of smuggling) but restaurants are difficult to find and close early. The best one is run by the wife of the local police sergeant that can be found at the head of the main road next to the main village square.