Koh Rong is an island off the coast of Sihanoukville City and part of Sihanoukville Province in Cambodia. It is the second-largest island in Cambodia after Koh Kong. Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem (4 km south of Koh Rong island) were merged in 2019 to become Koh Rong Town.
The government is planning to turn Koh Rong into a major tourist resort island. In 2008 the government granted the Royal Group a 99-year lease on the island. There are plans to build an airport on the island, and most of the coastal areas has been reserved for resort and casino developments.
Koh Rong Development Map
[Map of Koh Rong developments.]
This development map shows Koh Rong divided into separate zones: resort, institutional and commercial buildings, casino, fishing village, golf/polo, naval/military outpost, and nature reserve.
[Click for full-size image.]
Links And Resources
Royal Group is the main developer, though their website currently has no reference to the project.
Photo Gallery
Photos from my visit in January 2022.
News Archive
2023
Koh Rong island to get $300 million airport – [18/01/23]
2022
Koh Rong NMP to have the Kingdom’s first beautiful green city on the island – [23/02/22]
2021
Authorities start sealing off land for project in Koh Rong city – [28/12/21]
“Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration yesterday started putting up boundry posts to build a fence around a 350,000-square-metre site of a private company to develop tourist sites at two villages in Koh Rong city. The villages are Sok Sa in Koh Rong commune and Koh Touch in Koh Rong Samloem commune.”
A Chinese-funded airport to be constructed on Koh Rong Island – [05/01/21]
“A Chinese-funded airport will be constructed on Koh Rong Island. Koh Rong—a backpacker’s haven—is located a short boat ride from Sihanoukville. The airport, which is being built to host the expected influx of tourists, will have a runway of 2,650 meters (8,694 feet), long enough to accommodate bigger planes such as the Airbus A321. The completion date is unknown.”
2020
Koh Rong Island road project 30% done: Royal Group chair – [07/12/20]
“Royal Group of Companies Ltd chairman Kith Meng has announced that the development of 70km of concrete roads on Koh Rong Island is about 30 per cent complete, with construction having begun in mid-July and proceeding on schedule since then.”
Koh Rong ‘master plan’ includes new airport – [19/07/20]
Royal Group inks $35 million road deal on Koh Rong – [14/07/20]
“Royal Group Koh Rong Development Company and Sinohydro Corporation Limited reached a $35 million deal on Tuesday to build a 70km road on Koh Rong Island.”
“The master plan between Royal Group and the government was approved by the CDC in 2008, and the island was officially handed over to the company.”
Koh Rong land ‘belongs to firm’ – [28/06/20]
“Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration spokesperson Kheang Phearum told The Post on Sunday that the 35ha being bulldozed by Royal Group Co Ltd in Koh Rong belongs to it after it was leased to it for 99 years by the government in 2008.”
Another pearl in China’s string? – [27/05/20]
“Plans in Cambodia for a massive tourist resort on an out-of-the way island don‘t add up and may serve a different goal.”
2019
Royal Group announces US$300 million investment on Koh Rong Island – [30/12/19]
Government establishes new districts, town for better management – [31/01/19]
“The sub-decree ordered the creation of the new Koh Rong town, with its two communes – Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem – to be taken from Sihanoukville.
Koh Rong Town Hall is to be located in Koh Rong Sanloem commune, the sub-decree said.”
2018
The Scythes of development in paradise – [29/06/18]
Development plans for Koh Rong and nearby islands unchanged by marine park – [13/02/18]
“Businesses expect the establishment of Cambodia’s first marine national park covering seven coastal islands to boost tourism in the area, while government officials said yesterday it would not affect private development scheduled for the islands.”
2017
Koh Rong: An island paradise slowly developing – [19/07/17]
“To boost development on Koh Rong, in 2008 the government granted a 99-year lease of land concessions to The Royal Group to develop a five-star hotel and luxury resorts. Both the government and the Royal Group aim to transform the island into Asia’s most attractive tourist destination.”
Koh Rong land hard titles released today to fasttrack island development plan – [14/07/17]
2016
Protecting Cambodia’s island paradise? – [03/09/16]
“The Royal Group could not be reached for comment. But according to its website, its plans for the development of the 78-square-kilometre island would leave 30 per cent of the land as virgin rainforest, while the rest would be comprised of luxury resorts and golf courses.”
2015
Royal Group set to build hotel on Koh Rong – [14/12/15]
“The Royal Group, in partnership with a Thailand-based Swiss investor, will build a 148-room five-star hotel on Preah Sihanouk’s Koh Rong island, with the group having completed a ground-breaking ceremony on Saturday.”
Tensions escalate as Royal Group accelerates island development – [12/08/15]
“Residents of Koh Rong Island, off the coast of Sihanoukville, have this week called on government officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, to review what they are labelling “abusive activities” by the Royal Group (RG) conglomerate.”
Road development protests on Koh Rong – [08/07/15]
“Preah Sihanouk Provincial Governor Chhit Sokhon halted further construction work on Koh Rong this week following a protest by residents of Koh Tuich village, in the island’s most populated bay.”
2013
Koh Rong airport plans foggy – [05/04/13]
“Plans are in place for a new $10 million international airport on Koh Rong island, but questions remain as to when construction would commence and when funding would be available.
Designs for the roughly 7,200-square-metre airport terminal, which will consist of Khmer- and resort-style architecture, were completed two years ago, said Edward Billson, managing director of MAP Architects, a Hong Kong-based firm that is handling Koh Rong’s master plan.”
2012
Cambodia’s endangered paradise – [07/05/12]
“Koh Rong, an unspoiled island getaway with turquoise-green waters, powder-white beaches and untouched fishing villages, is being threatened by development.”
2010
Cambodia draws up ‘master plan’ for New Asian Riviera – [18/08/10]
“The Royal Group of Cambodia has embarked on a new plan to transform the island of Koh Rong into the next “Asian Riviera.””
Eco resort planned for Cambodian island – [25/06/10]
“The scheme is to develop the island of Koh Rong, 30 minutes by boat from the coastal city of Sihanoukville, into an ecologically sustainable resort paradise rivaling established Asian tourism destinations such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Bali.”
Wholesale 99-year lease of Koh Rong to Kith Meng, one of Hun Xen’s cronies – [26/03/10]
“Environmental survey To prepare Cambodia’s ‘Koh Rong’ island For high-end tourism.”
2008
Multi-millionaire Kith Meng leases the largest island in Sihanoukville for 99-year [-More evictions to come on these leased islands] – [01/03/08]
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