Saturday, January 1, 2011

សូមសា្វគមន៍មកកាន់ខេត្តកោះកុង

ខេត្តកោះកុង
Koh Kong (Khmer: ខេត្តកោះកុង) (Khétt Kaôh Kŏng) is a province of Cambodia. The name means "Kŏng Island Province". Its capital is Koh Kong.

Geography

The most south-western province of Cambodia, Koh Kong has a long undeveloped coastline and a mountainous, forested and largely inaccessible interior which embraces part of the 
Cardamom Mountains and a section of Kirirom National Park. Its tourist attractions include casinos and waterfalls, while an Export Processing Zone and new port facilities are being developed for trade.

Districts

The province is subdivided into 8 districts (srŏk).
ISO CodeDistrictRomanization
0901បូទុមសាគរBotum Sakor
0902គីរីសាគរKiri Sakor
0903កោះកុងKoh Kong
0904ស្មាច់មានជ័យSmach Mean Chey
0905មណ្ឌលសីម៉ាMondol Seima
0906ស្រែអំបិលSrae Ambel
0907ថ្មបាំងThma Bang
0908កំពង់សីលាKampong Seila

 
The province is an increasingly popular gateway to Cambodia from Hat Lek in easternThailand, in part due to the reasonably direct access to the port and beach resort town of Sihanoukville. The border is located at Cham Yeam, about 14km from Koh Kong.
Traveling to Koh Kong has become an enjoyable journey, where bridges were built, the first stage in 2002. A landmark of Koh Kong was made possible by L.Y.P. Group, the longest ever built bridge in Cambodia where you would want to experience the 1,900-meter crossing the sea connecting provincial town of Koh Kong to Koh Kong Resort and the international check point. In 2007 a new sealed road (National Route 48) was completed from the town to Sre Ambel on the Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville highway, including the 4 remaining river crossings where bridges were opened in May 2008 which are donations by the Thai government to Cambodia.

 

Thing to Do & See

Koh Kong is, in many ways, a brand new, largely unexplored destination. The heavily jungled Cardamom Mountain range and rugged rivers to the northeast, and the unexplored coast and island beaches to the south offer a number of eco-tourism and beach hopping possibilities. The most popular local destinations are nearby waterfalls and beaches, as well as the casino and Safari World at the Thai border. But there is potentially much more to see and do in Koh Kong province. Eco-adventures include touring the unique nearby mangrove forests and boating further upstream to spectacular waterfalls, rapids and jungle scenery. Or go on a multi-day 4WD or dirt bike excursion into the Cardamom Mountains. For secluded tropical beaches, take a boat trip to isolated coastal and island beaches for a relaxing afternoon. And there is now a proper scuba outfitter in town (Koh Kong Divers) offering PADI courses and scuba diving trips to local islands and reefs. Most of the guesthouses and hotels can offer advice and organize tours, at least to the nearby destinations. Oasis Resort, Koh Kong Divers and Neptune Guesthouse specialize in various eco and adventure tours.
Beaches and Islands 
There are a couple of beaches within easy driving distance of the main town area. Nearest, the Resort 2000 on the opposite side of river is popular with the locals and has a restaurant by the water, bungalows and a muddy little beach. To get there, cross the Koh Kong Bridge from town, turn left on a dirt road at the intersection and proceed to a marked turnoff. Koh Yor Beach near Ba Blong Village on the ocean is much better - a long, narrow, secluded, white sand beach with a few little ocean side seafood shacks including the family-run Crab Shack - cold drinks, seafood and more. To get to Koh Yor Beach continue south on the dirt road past Resort 2000 for about 10 minutes to the ocean.
The island of Koh Koh Khoa in the Gulf of Thailand about 45 minutes boat ride from Koh Kong City has several unspoiled completely untouristed white sand beaches. Reportedly, the boat should cost 2000 baht. Some guesthouses and restaurants including Oasis Resort and Neptune Guesthouse can organize picnic/snorkeling trip to the island..

Koh Kong Pepper
Plantation Cambodian pepper has been renowned for more than a century as some of the world’s finest, most grown in Kampot. Comparatively new pepper farms are growing black, white and red peppers in Koh Kong province as well, including the Kurata Pepper farms at the foot of the Cardamom Mountains in Koh Kong Province, Sre Ambel commune. Visitors are welcome to the farms. Call 023-726480 to make arrangements to visit. Located 2km west of the Road #48, Sre Ambel Bridge. Look for the sign.
Koh Kong Safari World 
Full fledged animal theme park complete with animal shows and a small zoological park displaying tigers, bears, ostriches, deer and several other species from around the world. Regularly scheduled dolphin shows, crocodile feedings, tiger shows, orangutan shows and bird shows. There is a show of some sort every hour or so all day long. Though some of the shows may not be to everyone's taste, by local standards the animals have the appearance of being fairly well fed and cared for. Restaurant and beach. Fun place to take the kids. Open everyday. Busy on the holidays. Located 500m from the border crossing, near the Koh Kong Resort.
Scuba Diving

Koh Kong Divers
Koh Kong’s first PADI scuba diving operation, offers PADI courses (Fun Dives and Beginner through Professional courses) and scuba diving trips to local island and reefs as well as multi day excursions. Also offering snorkeling and island tours, waterfall trips, jungle adventures and more. Office located on the riverfront road next to the Koh Kong Guesthouse.

Waterfalls
Koh Kong is rich with waterfalls and rapids. The rugged rivers that run down from the Cardamom Mountains harbor spectacular jungled falls, some near to town, others farther upstream. Many of the falls are but a trickle in the dry season and best visited in the wet season. The Ta Tai Waterfalls are the nearest to town and most popular local falls, sitting close to the main road about 20km to the east. The falls are wide and two-leveled with a drop of about 6m, set in a jungle gorge and falls over rapids. Others such as the Koh Por Falls, Tuo Kokir Rapids and impressive jungle gorge Kbal Chhay Falls sit father upriver within daytrip distance.