History
Koh Kong is name under Siamese administration From 1795 to 1904. During the reign of King Mongkut, the name Prachankirikhet was given to the city since the area falls in the same latitude as another city of Prachuap Khiri Khan which also had its name changed during the same year. In 1904, the region and the city of Trat was ceded to French Indochina in exchange of French troop evacuation from Chanthaburi. Yet, in 1907 Trat was returned back to Siam in exchange of the Siamese province of Inner Cambodia while Koh Kong remained part of French Cambodia.
After Cambodia’s liberation from the Khmer Rouge in 1979, Koh Kong province was quite under-populated. After the national government encouraged people to live in Koh Kong, there has been a net influx of people. It is estimated that the average annual growth rate in Koh Kong is 16%, which has put pressure on the mangrove resources in the province. Koh Kong’s towns have developed rapidly partially in response to market pressures from Thailand and because of immigration from other parts of Cambodia.
Geography
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 ” Kòng 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.
Population
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.
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.
Administration
The province is subdivided into six districts (srŏk) and one city (Krong).
- បូទុមសាគរ Botum Sakor
- គីរីសាគរ Kiri Sakor
- កោះកុង Kaoh Kong
- ស្មាច់មានជ័យ ប្ដូរជា ក្រុងខេមរភូមិន្ទ Smach Meanchey has changed to Khemarak Phoumin
- មណ្ឌលសីម៉ា Mondol Seima
- ស្រែអំបិល Srae Ambel
- ថ្មបាំង Thmar Bang
Weather
The country enjoy tropical climate with warm and humid temperature. 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. Cambodia has sun almost year round. 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.
- Hot season: March- May (27c -35c)
- Rainy season: May – October (24c-32c.)
- Cool season: November- March (22c-28c)
During the rainy season between mid-April and mid-October the Mekong swells and backs into the Tonle Sap (Great Lake), increasing the size of the lake almost threefold. Between November and April winds are less strong and there are higher temperatures (up to 35°C). Within in propical area, Banteay Meanchey province enjoy tropical climate – warm and humid. In the monsoon season following the temperature: