Koh Rong: Cambodia's Tropical Paradise

• Helloសួស្តី
  [suostei]
• Goodbyeលាហើយ
  [leahaei]
• Yesបាទ
  [baat]
• Noទេ
  [te]
• Please/You're welcomeសូម
  [soum]
• Thank youអរគ
  [arkoun]
• Excuse me/Sorryសូមជួយ
  [soum chuoy]
• How are you?អ្នកសួស្តីប៉ុណ្ណា?
  [nak suostei bonnea?]
• Fine. And you?ល្អមិនទេ និងអ្នក?
  [leam min te ning nak?]
• Do you speak English?អ្នកនិយយាយអង់គ្លេសទេ?
  [nak niyeay angkles te?]
• I don't understandខប់ខូស
  [kab kos]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseខុសតាមម៉ឺនុយបរិច្ចា
  [khos tam menou berk chea]
• I don't eat meatខុសតាមទារក
  [khos tam trak]
• Cheers!សន្តិភាព!
  [santepheap]
• I would like to pay, pleaseខំផ្តិត, សូម
  [kam pdit, soum]

• Help!ជូស!
  [chuos]
• Go away!ទៅចេញ!
  [tow cherng]
• Call the Police!ហាងបំពេង!
  [hang bompeang]
• Call a doctor!ហាងវេជ្ជបញ្ជា!
  [hang vejj bonjnea]
• I'm lostខុសភ្នែក
  [khos phnaek]
• I'm illខុសថ្ងៃបញ្ចិត
  [khos thngai bonchet]

• I'd like to buy...ខុសទិញ...
  [khos teun...]
• I'm just lookingខុសកូម៉ារ
  [khos komra]
• How much is it?តើវាតិប៉ុណ្ណា?
  [te wat te bonnea?]
• That's too expensiveវាគឺមួយច្បាន
  [vek kumuy chban]
• Can you lower the price?តើអ្នកអាចយកតម្លៃទេ?
  [te nak aek yuk tamley te?]

• What time is it?ម៉ោងណា?
  [maong nea?]
• It's one o'clockវា​គឺ​មួយ​ម៉ោង
  [vek kumuy maong]
• Half past (10)កន្លះចុល​ម៉ឺនុយ
  [knol chol menou]
• Morningពេលព្រឹក
  [peal preuk]
• Afternoonពេលល្ងាច
  [peal langchae]
• Eveningពេលយប់
  [peal yab]
• Yesterdayម្សិលមិញ
  [msul min]
• Todayថ្ងៃនេះ
  [thngai nee]
• Tomorrowថ្ងៃស្អែក
  [thngai saek]
• 1មួយ
  [muy]
• 2ពីរ
  [pii]
• 3បី
  [bei]
• 4បួន
  [buon]
• 5ប្រាំ
  [bram]
• 6បុរស
  [bus]
• 7បូម
  [bum]
• 8បិត
  [beit]
• 9កេរ
  [kaer]
• 10ដប់
  [dop]

• Where's a/the...?តេឡរ...?
  [te ler...?]
• What's the address?អាសយដ្ឋ​ណា?
  [asiet nea?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?តេឡរអ្នកបង្ហាញខ្ញុំ​(នៅលើផែនដី)​?
  [te ler nak bonghaeng khnyom (nowe ponday)?]
• When's the next (bus)?នៅខេត្ត​ណា​ពីរ​(ខេត្ត​ណា​បួន)?
  [nowe khett nea pii (khett nea buon)?]
• A ticket (to ....)សំបកសេវា (ទៅ ....)
  [sombok sewea (tow ....)]

Koh Rong, located off the coast of Sihanoukville in Cambodia, has a history that stretches back to ancient times. The island was originally inhabited by indigenous groups who lived off fishing and small-scale agriculture. Evidence of early settlements has been found in the form of pottery shards and primitive tools.

During the height of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries, Koh Rong was influenced by the broader cultural and political dynamics of the region. The island was used as a strategic point for maritime navigation and trade along the Gulf of Thailand. Artifacts from this era include remnants of pottery and coins which indicate active trade with neighboring regions.

In the late 19th century, Cambodia became a protectorate of France. Koh Rong, like much of Cambodia, fell under French colonial rule. The island's natural resources, including its timber and fish, became valuable commodities for the colonial economy. This period saw the introduction of new fishing techniques and the development of rudimentary infrastructure.

The mid-20th century brought significant turmoil to Koh Rong and Cambodia as a whole. During the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975-1979, the island, like many other parts of Cambodia, experienced hardship and depopulation. Many residents fled to the mainland or were displaced. The island remained largely isolated during this dark period in Cambodian history.

In the early 21st century, Koh Rong began to transform into a popular tourist destination. The island's pristine beaches, clear waters, and vibrant marine life attracted both local and international visitors. Development surged with the establishment of resorts, guesthouses, and restaurants. Despite rapid growth, efforts have been made to balance development with environmental conservation, preserving the island's natural beauty for future generations.

Koh Rong is accessible via boat from Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The primary mode of transport is a ferry or speedboat, which typically takes around 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the service. Major ferry operators include Buva Sea, Island Speed Ferry Cambodia, and GTVC Speedboat. Flights to Sihanoukville International Airport are available from major cities, and from there, a taxi or tuk-tuk can take you to the ferry terminals.

Once on Koh Rong, transportation is mostly via foot, bicycle, or motorbike, as there are no cars on the island. Motorbike rentals are available in most villages. For water-based travel, you can hire longtail boats for trips to different parts of the island or neighboring Koh Rong Samloem. Be prepared for sandy paths and rugged terrain.

The official currency of Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel (KHR), but US dollars are widely accepted. It is advisable to carry cash as there are limited ATMs on Koh Rong, and credit card facilities are sparse. Larger hotels and some restaurants may accept credit cards, but smaller establishments generally do not.

Koh Rong is generally a safe destination, but like any tourist spot, it's important to stay vigilant. Petty theft can occur, especially in busier areas like Koh Touch village. Avoid poorly lit areas at night and secure your belongings. Be cautious of strong currents when swimming and avoid venturing into the jungle alone.

In case of emergency, contact local authorities or your hotel's front desk for assistance. There is a small medical clinic in Koh Touch village for minor injuries and illnesses. For serious medical emergencies, evacuation to a hospital in Sihanoukville may be necessary. Ensure you have adequate travel insurance that covers medical evacuation.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting local villages. Avoid swimwear in non-beach areas. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions, even though the island is not heavily religious. Public Transport: Do respect the local transport options like boats and motorbikes. Don't overburden small boats with luggage. Greetings: Do greet locals with a smile and a nod. A simple 'Hello' works well. Eating & Drinking: Do try local seafood and Khmer dishes. Don’t waste food, as it is considered disrespectful.

For an authentic experience, visit the local fishing villages such as Prek Svay and Sok San to observe traditional Cambodian life. Participate in beach clean-up initiatives to contribute to the island's sustainability. Try to visit during the bioluminescent plankton phenomenon for a magical night swim. Engage with locals to learn about their way of life and explore lesser-known beaches for a peaceful retreat.