Koh Kong Attractions

Koh Kong Introduction, Cambodia

Koh Kong is the most southwestern province of Cambodia. It is one of the biggest provinces in the whole country with a long undeveloped coastline and a mountainous, forested and largely inaccessible interior, which embraces part of the Cardamom Mountains, the biggest coherent rainforest of Southeast Asia. Its tourist attractions include abundant wildlife; big waterfalls and casinos on the border to Thailand, while an Export Processing Zone and new port facilities are being developed for international trade. 

The province is an increasingly popular gateway to Cambodia from Hat Lek in southern Thailand, in part of the reasonably direct access to the port and beach resort town of Sihanoukville. While this was previously a gruelling journey by boat and pickup on rough bumpy roads using small ferries at river crossings, the donation by the Thai government of new road infrastructure is improving access greatly. 

The name means " Krong Island Province". Its capital is Krong Koh Kong, which is located in the West of the province right next to the Thai border. The city is surrounded with a large forested area connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries. It's generally a quiet town, but there are many reasons to stay in Koh Kong for more than one night such as the nearby islands, rivers, tours into the nature and the buzzing nightlife. 

The people of Koh Kong speak mainly Khmer, and most speak some Thai as well. You can also find many Chinese and Vietnamese speakers as well as a lot of broken English. Your stay here will be economical as lodging, food and transportation is relatively cheap here. Please make this place a stop on your travels through S.E. Asia and you won't be disappointed.

Koh Kong Geography, Cambodia

Koh Kong province is 11,160 square kilometres big. It's located in the West of the country and is bordering to the North with Pursat, to the East and South with the Gulf of Thailand and to the West with Kampot and Sihanoukville. The province consists mainly of a huge coherent mountain range, the Cardamom Mountains. Covered with lush deep rainforest it?s the biggest successional forested region in whole Southeast Asia, which is almost not populated but by some small tribes.

There are quite a lot of creeks and rivers running to the see, Stoeng Kaoh Pa and Stoeng Me Toek are the biggest ones. You won't find the typical Cambodian plain wet areas, covering rice fields and other agricultural plantations, except from some river benches near the see. The highest point in the province is 1210m.

Koh Kong Climate, Cambodia

The country has a tropical climate - warm and humid. In the monsoon season, abundant rain allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops. This year-round tropical climate makes Cambodia ideal for developing tourism. Travellers need not to fear natural disasters such as erupting volcanoes or earthquakes, and the country is not directly affected by tropical storms. 

Climate: Cambodia can be visited throughout the year. However, those plans to travel extensively by road should be avoided the last two months of the rainy season when some countryside roads may be impassable. The average temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius; the minimum temperature is about 16 degrees. December and January are the coolest months, whereas the hottest is April. 

General information about the provincial climate:

- Cool season: November- March (17-27c) 
- Hot season: March- May (29c -38c) 
- Rainy season: May - October (27-35c, with humidity up to 90%.)

Koh Kong Population, Cambodia

The current population in this province is about 207,474 people or 1,45% of the country's total population (14,363,519 person in Cambodia, 2007, provincial government data), with 107,499 male and 99,975 female. The population density is therefore 18,6 people per square kilometre.

Koh Kong Economy, Cambodia

The economy of Koh Kong, in spite of recent progress of border development, although rapidly increasing, is low compared with most neighbouring countries. The main domestic activity on which most rural households depend is agriculture and its related sub-sectors. Manufacturing output is varied but is not very extensive and is mostly conducted on a small-scale and informal basis. The service sector is heavily concentrated in trading activities and catering-related services.

How to get to Koh Kong, Cambodia

Border Crossing: 

Koh Kong (Cambodia) /Hat Lek (Thai): 

Open from 7:00 -17:00.

By Bus and Taxi: 

It is always travelled by backpackers; there are many comfortable means of getting to Bangkok and Phnom Penh via Koh Kong.

Bangkok to Phnom Penh: 

1.) Take a bus to Trat. 

2.) Take a Songthaw to Klong Yai, takes 2 hours 

3.) Change to another Songthaw to Hat Lek, about 30 min. Then cross the border. You can get the Cambodian 1-month arrival visa on the border. $20 or 1000 Bath. The visa application form requires 1 passport photo.

4.) Take a moto to Koh Kong

5.) Express boat to Sihanoukville, departure 8:00am

To catch up with the Express Boat in a same day, you have to leave Trat very early in the morning. Or take the minibus.

6.) In Sihanoukville, take a moto from the port to the bus station. If you want to travel to PP in a same day, you have to hurry to go to the bus station. You have to ask for the moto fee before, otherwise you are asked to pay a higher fee.

7.) Take a bus to PP, around 4 hours. 

It is possible to travel from Koh Kong to PP in a day.

Note: Moto and boat fees have to negotiate before you enter them for travelling.

From Phnom Penh to Bangkok 

Overland: 

Bus: Capitol Bus departure 7:30 am

Bus + Boat: 

1.) Take a bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. To catch up the boat in the same day, you have to take an early bus at 7:30.

2.) Take a moto from the bus station to the boat pier. Make sure you bargain for the moto fee.

3.) Take an express boat from Sihanoukville to Koh Kong. Departure: 12:00 noon. If you want to take the boat in a same day, it is not sure to get the seat as what you want but you can sit on the roof. Travel time around 3.5 hrs,

4.) From Koh Kong to the Border: take a moto driver.

5.) Cross the border. The border is closed at 17:00.

6.) Take a Songthaw to Klong Yai, travel time around 30 min.

7.) Change songthaw to Trat, around 2 hours.

8.) From Trat to Bangkok, there is also a night bus departure.

Attention: 

If the boat arrived later than 16:00, you have to take a risk not to be able to cross the border. In case the border is closed once you got there, you have 3 choices.

1) Stay at Eingdoy Hotel, 500m before the border, tel. 039-588109, room rate is around 10 - 15USD per night with TV, Pool Bar.

2) A small Guest House in the village nearby, 1.5 km from the border. Experience the local home stay; room rate is around 5-8 USD per night.

3) Go back to Koh Kong town by moto or boat for only 1USD per person.

Share Taxis: 

You can also make the way from Phnom Penh to Koh Kong town in a share taxi. The departure is early in the morning around 7am opposite of the central bus station, where there are lots of minibuses and taxis waiting for customers. The ride will probably take around 8-10h depending on the season you?re travelling. The price is negotiable between $14-20.

Motorbike Info: 

If you would like to experience a very nice, but kind of rough route through a remote area of Cambodia, than it's that tour you'll have to go for. You need to take the National Highway No 4 from Phnom Penh in direction of Sihanoukville. After heading on the Highway for around 180km you'll pass a small town called Kampong Seila, from which it is a couple of kilometres more to come to a T-junction. Now turning right you're entering the Minor Road No 48. It's a narrow road badly paved with laterite, which makes an adventure out of your trip. You should be well experienced to manage this bumpy, creek crossing road during the wet season without tasting the ground. As the road led through a breathtaking countryside you'll reach Koh Kong after approx. 140km. Be sure that the early bird catches the worm so don?t go to late as you want to manage the whole trip within one day.

What to see in Koh Kong, Cambodia

The provincial capital of Koh Kong is the arrival point for many foreign travellers en route to Cambodia due to the international border crossing with Thailand which lies a short distance from the town. A pretty dusty old affair, Krong Koh Kong (the city of Koh Kong, but usually just called Koh Kong) sits on the western bank of the Kah Bpow River -- a wide flowing river which is spanned by a spic-and-span Thai-financed bridge that you're welcome to drive across for a 1,200 riel moto toll or 4,800 riel for cars.

Koh Kong is a sleepy riverside town and there's not much in the way of tourist attractions within the town itself. However, it's a handy base for boat trips, waterfall and beach excursions. The town has also become a hub for eco-tourism trips and jungle trekking.

For a town of its size, it has a disproportionate number of western-managed bars which are primarily aimed at Thailand- based expats on visa runs. One Koh Kong city regular describes the local expat scene as "rather Monty-Pythonesque", but regardless of your opinion, there's certainly not a shortage of places for a refreshing drink and expats to talk to. 

Koh Kong province retained a Khmer Rouge presence longer than other more central tracts of Cambodia and Thai military and private “investors" took advantage of this to extract vast tracts of timber and other valuables. The Chi Phat area in particular was know for rapacious logging, slash and burn and poaching. Ironically, through the involvement of Wildlife Alliance, many Chi Phat residents have been retrained and now work at the vanguard of one of Cambodia's more promising ecotourism initiatives.

With an overnight stay in Koh Kong you could visit a waterfall in the morning and an outlying beach in the afternoon before catching transport out of there the following morning -- that would be sufficient for many, though with more time, there's no shortage of beaches worth exploring or jungles to be trekked -- just bear in mind the cost of getting to the beaches can get prohibitive if you're travelling alone.

Along with the bars there's an ample supply of guesthouses in Koh Kong, both in the centre of town and down towards the river. Prices are competitive.

Cham Yeam International border crossing

A moto either way between Koh Kong and the border costs US$3 or 100 baht and includes the 1,200 riel toll. Cars cost double. The Cham Yeam International checkpoint is open between 07:00 and 20:00.

The actual price for a tourist visa is $20 and a "normal" visa costs $25. In practice, immigration officers ask for between 1,200 and 1,600 baht respectively. Many tourists using this border crossing report lots of extra charges, fees and requests for cash on the Cambodian side -- however, with some perseverance you should be able to get through without paying extra.

Have American dollars in the correct denomination ready before you cross. You can ignore the "health check" desk -- having a health check is not a requirement. Do not let anyone take your passport and fill out your visa forms or carry your bags, they will expect to be paid for these services.

They will try and tell you that you're about to miss the bus to encourage you to cough up the cash, and it's likely that your moto driver will be in on the scam. If you want to avoid the extra charges, budget extra time for this, it can take ten to thirty minutes of standing around insisting that you don't want to pay any more than the actual $20 visa fee, but eventually they will let you through. The easiest solution is get your visa in advance so as to not have to purchase one at the border.

Ignore anyone that tells you that you need to change your Thai Baht before crossing or that there aren't ATMs across the border. There are, and you'll get better exchange rates in town compared to the extortionate ones at the border.

Orientation

Depending on the business, prices will be quoted in Thai Baht, Riel or US Dollars. It's generally best to pay in whichever currency is quoted, because the exchange rates are usually unfavourable. There are at least a dozen money-changers on the outskirts of the market who offer surprisingly good rates, but unlike the old days, you can manage a trip to Koh Kong and get by without having any Thai baht. Currently, there's only one ATM in town and it only accepts cards with a Visa logo, although a Canadia ATM is being built that will accept both.

Where to eat in Koh Kong, Cambodia

Koh Kong offers many small restaurants and places to eat. There is especially two we would recommend: Otto's Restaurant, rooms and meeting place & the Foreigner Food Restaurant (But don't order any beef meal here, only Otto's can be trusted). It seems the larger restaurants have just cookbook cutouts for their menus with no prices listed. You will be charged according to what you look like. Don?t wonder if some of the restaurant owners are sometimes quite impolite; just pass them over if possible. The best budget meals are the stalls in and around Psar Leu.

Baan Peakmai: 

That's a Thai style garden restaurant, which is the most alluring one among the few remaining opportunities. They have a huge menu including more than 35 vegetarian choices and a range of fresh seafood.

Otto's: 

Set on the breezy veranda of the guesthouse, this Western-style restaurant makes a convenient stop for a quick breakfast before taking a boat to Sihanoukville. The dinner includes Thai food, several hearty vegetarian choices and a selection of central European dishes, including for example one of the best bratwurst Cambodia has to offer.

Heng Heng Restaurant: 

This is quite a popular Khmer restaurant for tasty Chinese and Cambodian breakfast of noodle soup and Bobor (rice porridge), but it lacks the atmosphere to warrant a good stop for a dinner.

Samras Angkor Restaurant: 

If you are eager to go for Cambodian dishes, that's the place to pop in. They serve lots of fine Cambodian dishes here. Coming from Thailand you might try the famous Lok Lak or Fish Amok. If you're to easily to distract by some loud karaoke music, it's not your place though.

Where to stay in Koh Kong, Cambodia

Hotels:

There are only five hotels here and the rest are guesthouses. The guesthouses are simple and basic rooms, some have Asian style (squat) bathrooms inside the room and the average price is 5  8 USD for fan and 8 ? 15 USD with air-con. Some guesthouses have no-bathroom rooms for 4 USD per room and night.

Note: The first time you get here, the motorcycle taxis will try to overcharge you. The real rate is 2000 Riel or 20 Baht per ride. 

Bopha Koh Kong Hotel *

Koh Kong International Resort Club (L) * Safari World is now open! 

Koh Pich Hotel * 

Phou Mint Koh Kong Hotel * 

Rasmey Makara Hotel *

Guesthouses:

Cheap Charlies Guesthouse 

Juliana Guest House 

Khounchhang Hotel 

Koh Kong Hotel Koh Lap Chai Den Hotel 

Nokor Reach Koh Kong Hotel 

Otto's Restaurant Rooms & Meeting Place 

Pai Lin Guest House 

Penh Cheth Guest House 

Ponl Eupreah Chan Penh Vong Guesthouse 

Poy Sian Guesthouse 

Sovann Angkor Guesthouse

Bopha Koh Kong Hotel: (tel: 011/741040) 

This hotel is easily to find, because its just two blocks east of the Sihanoukville boat pier located. It has its own restaurant and rooms at different rates. 

Single Room: ground floor, air-con, fridge, Sat TV, $8 usd 

Single Room: 3rd floor, air-con, fridge, Sat TV, $10

Double Room: air-con, fridge, Sat TV, $13 usd

VIP Room: air-con, fridge, Sat TV, hot water & sitting area, $25 usd

Koh Pich Hotel: (tel: 035/936113) 

You may like this hotel, because it is up to international standards. Hotel, restaurant, nightclub, Karaoke & meeting hall for 60. 

VIP Room: air-con, cable TV, fridge, $15 usd

Twin Room: cable TV, air-con, $15 usd

Hotels:

There are only five hotels here and the rest are guesthouses. The guesthouses are simple and basic rooms, some have Asian style (squat) bathrooms inside the room and the average price is 5  8 USD for fan and 8 ? 15 USD with air-con. Some guesthouses have no-bathroom rooms for 4 USD per room and night.

Note: The first time you get here, the motorcycle taxis will try to overcharge you. The real rate is 2000 Riel or 20 Baht per ride. 

Bopha Koh Kong Hotel *

Koh Kong International Resort Club (L) * Safari World is now open! 

Koh Pich Hotel * 

Phou Mint Koh Kong Hotel * 

Rasmey Makara Hotel *

Guesthouses:

Cheap Charlies Guesthouse 

Juliana Guest House 

Khounchhang Hotel 

Koh Kong Hotel Koh Lap Chai Den Hotel 

Nokor Reach Koh Kong Hotel 

Otto's Restaurant Rooms & Meeting Place 

Pai Lin Guest House 

Penh Cheth Guest House 

Ponl Eupreah Chan Penh Vong Guesthouse 

Poy Sian Guesthouse 

Sovann Angkor Guesthouse

Bopha Koh Kong Hotel: (tel: 011/741040) 

This hotel is easily to find, because its just two blocks east of the Sihanoukville boat pier located. It has its own restaurant and rooms at different rates. 

Single Room: ground floor, air-con, fridge, Sat TV, $8 usd 

Single Room: 3rd floor, air-con, fridge, Sat TV, $10

Double Room: air-con, fridge, Sat TV, $13 usd

VIP Room: air-con, fridge, Sat TV, hot water & sitting area, $25 usd

Koh Pich Hotel: (tel: 035/936113) 

You may like this hotel, because it is up to international standards. Hotel, restaurant, nightclub, Karaoke & meeting hall for 60. 

VIP Room: air-con, cable TV, fridge, $15 usd

Twin Room: cable TV, air-con, $15 usd

Queen Room: cable TV, air-con, $10 usd

Fan Room: bathroom inside, $5

Phou Mint Koh Kong Hotel: (tel: 011/948255) 

Located on the river between the Sihanoukville boat pier and the Koh Kong Bridge, this is a new hotel with a beautiful view of the river. 

1st Floor: air-con, fridge & TV, $10 usd; fan fridge & TV $6 usd; fan & TV, only $5 usd 2nd Floor: air-con, TV hot water & tub, $15 usd; air-con & TV $12 usd

Rasmey Makara Hotel: (tel: 035/936058) 

This is a European standard hotel located south east of the traffic circle. Downstairs rooms are $10 usd with air-con, TV and bath. A single room cost $8, the double room cost $10 and the VIP room is at $13. The rooms have air-con, fridge, TV and Western style bathroom. The whole complex is very modern with garden area and sitting area, massage and Karoke are available on the grounds. The restaurant is known for tasty seafood and live music from 6 pm to 12 midnight.

Cheap Charlies Guesthouse: (tel: 016/853450) 

There is no place to have a cheaper accommodation in town, 50baht per pax. The rooms are really basic and seem to some people as small cells with shared bathroom. Anyway the friendly family will make you feel like home. This place is also a good source for traveller info. A small restaurant is included serving tasty Western and Asian dishes.

Otto's: (tel: 093/6211) 

Otto's restaurant, rooms & meeting place has rooms for: Single room 80 baht, Double room 100 baht & large double room for 120 baht. TV is available for an extra fee. Otto's has good food, is a place to relax and is a central meeting place for friends both old and young. The food and drinks come at fair prices. River and island tours by boat can be arranged. Note: Otto's is open, it seems a few unscrupulous m/c taxi drivers are saying Otto's is closed because he does not pay them a commissions.

Pai Lin Guest House: (tel: 015/836570) 

Pai Lin Guesthouse is located south east of the traffic circle. The rates are 100 Baht for a fan room and 200 Baht for a room with air-con. Bathroom is inside the room. cable TV, air-con, $10 usd

Fan Room: bathroom inside, $5

Phou Mint Koh Kong Hotel: (tel: 011/948255) 

Located on the river between the Sihanoukville boat pier and the Koh Kong Bridge, this is a new hotel with a beautiful view of the river. 

1st Floor: air-con, fridge & TV, $10 usd; fan fridge & TV $6 usd; fan & TV, only $5 usd 2nd Floor: air-con, TV hot water & tub, $15 usd; air-con & TV $12 usd

Rasmey Makara Hotel: (tel: 035/936058) 

This is a European standard hotel located south east of the traffic circle. Downstairs rooms are $10 usd with air-con, TV and bath. A single room cost $8, the double room cost $10 and the VIP room is at $13. The rooms have air-con, fridge, TV and Western style bathroom. The whole complex is very modern with garden area and sitting area, massage and Karoke are available on the grounds. The restaurant is known for tasty seafood and live music from 6 pm to 12 midnight.

Cheap Charlies Guesthouse: (tel: 016/853450) 

There is no place to have a cheaper accommodation in town, 50baht per pax. The rooms are really basic and seem to some people as small cells with shared bathroom. Anyway the friendly family will make you feel like home. This place is also a good source for traveller info. A small restaurant is included serving tasty Western and Asian dishes.

Otto's: (tel: 093/6211) 

Otto's restaurant, rooms & meeting place has rooms for: Single room 80 baht, Double room 100 baht & large double room for 120 baht. TV is available for an extra fee. Otto's has good food, is a place to relax and is a central meeting place for friends both old and young. The food and drinks come at fair prices. River and island tours by boat can be arranged. Note: Otto's is open, it seems a few unscrupulous m/c taxi drivers are saying Otto's is closed because he does not pay them a commissions.

Pai Lin Guest House: (tel: 015/836570) 

Pai Lin Guesthouse is located south east of the traffic circle. The rates are 100 Baht for a fan room and 200 Baht for a room with air-con. Bathroom is inside the room.

Shopping in Koh Kong, Cambodia

Most of the products are imported from Thailand, except vegetables, fruits and some local foods. There are a couple of clothing shops across the street from the eastern side of the market selling clothes from Thailand as well. Some small shops along the road on the southern side of the market stay open until 10pm.