Koh Kong

Koh Kong, also known as Khemarak Phoumin, is a relaxed riverside provincial capital in the far southwest of Cambodia, close to the Thai border and the Gulf of Thailand. It serves as the main gateway to the Cardamom Mountains and to some of Cambodia's most untouched coastal and mangrove landscapes.

The town has long been shaped by its position on the Kah Bpow river and its role in cross-border trade. Its riverfront, local markets, Buddhist temples and nearby Cham Yeam border checkpoint give Koh Kong a practical, low-key character that still reflects its trading-town roots.

Around the compact centre, visitors can explore the Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary boardwalk through mangroves, visit Tatai and Kbal Chhay waterfalls, or head to Koh Kong Island (Koh Kong Krao) for beaches and clear water. Community-based ecotourism projects such as Chi Phat offer trekking, kayaking and stays in the Cardamom rainforest.

Fishing, border commerce, special economic zones and growing ecotourism drive the local economy, while seafood restaurants, riverside cafés and the night market offer a relaxed Khmer coastal food scene. Improved Highway 48 now links the town more directly to Phnom Penh, and Dara Sakor International Airport has brought new domestic air connections to the province.

Koh Kong appeals to nature-focused leisure travellers and to business visitors involved in border trade, logistics and regional development, combining outdoor adventure with a useful position between Cambodia and Thailand.