Koh Kong, or Krong Khemarak Phoumin, is the capital of Koh Kong Province in Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains. It is 8 km from Cham Yeam, which is connected by Cambodia's southernmost Thai border crossing to the Thai town of Hat Lek.
The province is one of Cambodia's greenest and most eco-friendly, with its town being tiny, but surrounded by Asia's largest expanse of mangroves, beautiful islands, and mountains.
The town is somewhat strange in appearance, with improbably wide streets, long blocks, and a correspondingly low density. Be prepared to walk or hire a motorbike. The town is 11 kilometres from the border crossing, so transport is essential. In June 2019 a motorbike taxi from the border to downtown cost 150 baht (In Koh Kong you will find prices quoted in Thai baht, US dollars, or Cambodian riel. You can pay in any of the three currencies and may receive a mix of currencies as change.). Be prepared to be shocked by the litter that pollutes every square inch of the town and environs.
Around Koh Kong, there are islands, mountains, jungles, rivers, waterfalls, a zoo, casino, and a lot more.
Irrawaddy dolphins otters and birds Between between the Cardamom Mountains and the Gulf of Thailand, the mangrove-estuary system of Koh Kong Province is the largest and most intact in Southeast Asia. Many of the estuaries of the Cardamom Mountains have national park or other protected area status. However due to their remote and until recently inaccessible location they are largely untouched and unexplored and are home to an extremely diverse range of rare and exotic wildlife. Rare dolphins, finless porpoises, two species of otters, Asia's most elusive cat, it's rarest (and smallest) deer, gibbon, macaque and an array of globally endangered shorebirds are just some of the little known treasures
Dolphins
- Irrawaddy Dolphin
- Finles Porpoise
- Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin
Koh Kong has a large marine (salt water) population of Irrawaddy dolphins. They inhabit the waters at the estuary mouth in and around the mangroves. Boat tours to see and study these beautiful rare dolphins and other wildlife can be arranged at Fat Sam's Restaurant.
Otters Cambodia is often described as "a land of water", so the recent realisation that it is a hot spot for three species of otters is not really surprising. Estuaries in Koh Kong are the prime habitat for two of these species:
- Smooth-coated Otter
- Hairy-nosed Otter
Birds Koh Kong’s coastline and islands are the habitat for some of Asia's rarest and most endangered birds and animals. They are the wintering home for over 20 species of migratory shorebirds - including the globally endangered Spoon-billed sandpiper (global population 200).
Along Hwy 4 (Sihanoukville-Phnom Penh), about 30 km south of Traeng Trayoung, 20 km north of the Koh Kong turn-off, there is on the west side of the road a small turn-off which leads to a nice set of rapids called O'bak Retes. Great place to stop.
Koh Kong Island is considered one of the best beaches in SE Asia. There is no accommodation on Koh Kong Island as it a military installation and therefore illegal to spend the night. Day trips are offered by Koh Kong Divers Tour Centre and other operators in Koh Kong. Koh Kong Island is the largest island in Cambodia, about 20 km long by 7 km wide. It has crystal clear waters, white sand beaches, and a tropical forest.
The only settlement is the fishing village of Alatang on the southeast corner of the island. The west side boasts six tropical beaches, most with their own natural freshwater lagoons leading to rivers running down from the high mountain peaks that lie above them.
In high season, from October to late May, the ocean is quiet with moderate waves and moderate wind, ideal for snorkelling, fishing, and every tourism activity.
In low season, the waves are very impressive, moving up the sand on the beaches. Contrary to what one might think, the low season is not all rain. There is regularly sun and rain intermittently.
Inhabited by monkeys, tropical birds such as the eagles and toucans, deer and marine animals, fauna is very diversified. Regularly, there are dolphins and whale sharks in the bay. The island is 40 minutes from Koh Kong city by speed boat. The one-way price is USD10 per person.
On the island of Koh Kong there are small monkeys, wild boars, squirrels, toucans, mynah and small parrots. You can also find rare butterflys including among others the biggest moth Attacus Atlas.
As for marine life there are harmless whale sharks, dolphins, Parrot fish, Snapper fish, Barracuda, king fish, Cobia fish, Wahoo fish, swordfish, Grouper fish, Sea turtle, wahoo fish.
The north end is controlled by the military, camping is allowed at your own risk on the 5th and 6th beaches and also at the military post in the village of Alatang.
Day trips to Koh Kong Island, to see the Dolphins in Pream Krasop Mangroves (Asia's largest), Trekking and overnight stays in the Cardamom Mountains are available from Fat Sam's Restaurant located next to the roundabout in the city centre.
Fat Sam's Bar on the roundabout in the town centre is a fabulous place to get ideas about what to do. The staff are very helpful and know the area very well. They also have motorbikes for rent, free local guide books and maps of the area and can book trips and tours for you.
- Thmorda Crab House, 169 Neang Kok Village, Pak Klong Commune, Mondolsima District, +855 35 6901252. Daily, 07:00-22:00. Thai seafood restaurant and bar on the Koh Pow River, karaoke, kayaking, Wi-Fi.
- Fat Sam's Restaurant and Bar, The Roundabout, Town Centre, Koh Kong (Fat Sam's is 25 m from the roundabout in the centre of the town on the road going away from the river (there is only one roundabout in the town centre, there are now also 2 on the outskirts), +855 977370707. M-Sa 08:00-13:00, 16:00-21:30 (kitchen closes 21:00). Su closed. (might be just low season hours). Owned by a British expat named Alistair who is a great source of info about the area and things in general. The restaurant is run by Lin who is an excellent cook and has an good menu with quality Western and Cambodian/Thai food, almost all of which is sourced locally. Caution: portions are generous. A full bar with a comprehensive range of spirits, good wine, Bruntys English cider, Cambodian draft beer and a range of canned and bottled beers is available. Most sports including Formula 1 and Premier League football are shown on a big screen TV. Visas for Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam can be arranged. The clientele in Fat Sam's Restaurant and Bar is a mixture of local expats, who can be an excellent source of information on Koh Kong and Cambodia in general, and travelers and tourists from a wide variety of countries and backgrounds. In Fat Sam's you can meet someone from your hometown or from the other end of the world. The open fronted bar faces the roundabout and it's a great place to sit and watch Cambodian life go by. Free WiFi. Motorbike rentals. Draft beer, USD1; small breakfast USD4.
Cambodian restaurants There are a number of restaurants clustered round the roundabout in the town centre selling good local food.
Thmorda Crab House, 169 Neang Kok Village, Pak Klong Commune, Mondolsima District, +855 35 6901252. Daily, 07:00-22:00. Thai seafood restaurant and bar on the Koh Pow River, karaoke, kayaking, Wi-Fi.
Fat Sam's Restaurant and Bar, The Roundabout, Town Centre, Koh Kong (Fat Sam's is 25 m from the roundabout in the centre of the town on the road going away from the river (there is only one roundabout in the town centre, there are now also 2 on the outskirts), +855 977370707. M-Sa 08:00-13:00, 16:00-21:30 (kitchen closes 21:00). Su closed. (might be just low season hours). Owned by a British expat named Alistair who is a great source of info about the area and things in general. The restaurant is run by Lin who is an excellent cook and has an good menu with quality Western and Cambodian/Thai food, almost all of which is sourced locally. Caution: portions are generous. A full bar with a comprehensive range of spirits, good wine, Bruntys English cider, Cambodian draft beer and a range of canned and bottled beers is available. Most sports including Formula 1 and Premier League football are shown on a big screen TV. Visas for Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam can be arranged. The clientele in Fat Sam's Restaurant and Bar is a mixture of local expats, who can be an excellent source of information on Koh Kong and Cambodia in general, and travelers and tourists from a wide variety of countries and backgrounds. In Fat Sam's you can meet someone from your hometown or from the other end of the world. The open fronted bar faces the roundabout and it's a great place to sit and watch Cambodian life go by. Free WiFi. Motorbike rentals. Draft beer, USD1; small breakfast USD4.
- Stebie C Sports Bar. Seems to open whenever enough people are thirsty and stays open as long as punters are drinking. Run by Brit expat Stevie (beware: Chelsea fan). Convivial little hangout. What really sets it apart is Stevie's partner, an Italian, who makes wonderful pizzas and other Italian food on the premises. The pizzas must be ranked as among the best in Asia. Stevie also rents rooms for USD7. Beer, USD1; Four seasons pizza, USD7.
- Waterfront Bar & Restaurant. Cambodian food and snacks, pizzas and hamburgers, cocktails, beer, spirits, music, view of river.
Stebie C Sports Bar. Seems to open whenever enough people are thirsty and stays open as long as punters are drinking. Run by Brit expat Stevie (beware: Chelsea fan). Convivial little hangout. What really sets it apart is Stevie's partner, an Italian, who makes wonderful pizzas and other Italian food on the premises. The pizzas must be ranked as among the best in Asia. Stevie also rents rooms for USD7. Beer, USD1; Four seasons pizza, USD7.
Waterfront Bar & Restaurant. Cambodian food and snacks, pizzas and hamburgers, cocktails, beer, spirits, music, view of river.
All banks are closed on weekends except for Canadia Bank which is open for a half-day Saturday morning.
If you use an ATM, most likely you will request cash in USD. If you ask for USD300 you will get three hundred dollar bills. The problem is that no one has change for a hundred dollar bill. As for a sum ending in x90 instead (e.g., USD190 or 290, etc.) At least then you will get some ten-dollar bills that you have a hope of using. Even one hotel could not accept USD100 for a USD30 tab leading to another pricey trip the the ATM (USD5 charge for each withdrawal).
Tatai is the next town east, 19 km away. USD4–5 by motorbike, USD10 by tuk-tuk.
Tickets to Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville 40,000 riel and can be purchased at the bus station in the centre of town. Buses depart around 07:00. There is also a 13:00 bus to Phnom Penh.