🇰🇭| Is It Over? Koh Rong, Cambodia 2024. Update on The State of Rong Island

We talk to several people to see the current situation in Koh Rong. Has it changed a lot? Is it going to be the same in the next few years?
This is filmed in Kaoh Touch, Koh Rong, Cambodia: maps.app.goo.gl/UF4yGao7tafZn...
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[@ThydaCookingTV]

We are the local people we don’t want the island to have invested as Sihanoukville by the Chinese

[@OccultistKH]

We already got worst lesson in Sihanouk!

[@kimlol3599]

We can’t do anything because our government chose to let Chinese investors in

[@Chai_Travel]

I hope Koh Rong always stays a paradise 🙏

[@Katcom111]

It's the government. If you are commoner they just don't care.

[@spaceship7011]

@@Katcom111 im half cambodian myself, honestly they will pay for their mistake. one day siem reap will be the only place for tourism. surely shouldve learned that sihanoukville is not a holiday spot anymore.

[@Hea9lt9hy9]

Good and prayers for Koh Rong and Cambodia…

[@marmary5555]

I went to Koh Rong in 2010. It looked very different and was much more authentic. We stayed on the beach, there were no restaurants, no shops, only fishermen and some basic bungalows by the beach, no electricity. What we paid to stay in the bungalow included food, which were cooked by the fishermen. It was paradise. I can't believe it looks like this today 😢 and even worse if Chinese investors are going to turn this into Disneyland Casino. I hope Cambodians do something about it and keep this island calm.

[@hf..7271]

God forbid and God shall prevail !!!

[@buntonvlogging-cg7lb]

Thank you brother to promote Koh Rong Khmer❤❤❤❤

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you too for watching ❤️

[@coreana.aesthetics]

Koh Rong will be developed by local conglomerates, Royal Group.

[@loassoklay9300]

Welcome to cambodia 🙏🥰🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you 🇰🇭

[@stevens8785]

Brilliant as always - a nice variety of feedback from both tourists and expats interviewed gave us a much broader feel for what the island has to offer and the changes there over the years. Very informative mate. Julien of France my favourite on this one. Cheers Chai .🍻🤩

[@Chai_Travel]

Thanks Steven! Haha yeah I caught his down under laid back vibes straight away :P the champ! cheers!

[@kosmo1001]

Best sunset we’ve had ever seen from the stunning Sok San Beach. We were there for a few days last week. I totally agree with the lady on the lack of good restaurants on the island. Koh Rong was amazing. Sihanoukville, not so much, which is sad. I’d like to see one more affordable luxury resort on Sok San Beach that is just one step below The Royal Sands Resort price wise (between $200-$300/night). Right now there is the expensive Royal Sands and the rest that is just average or well below average.

[@Chai_Travel]

Sol San is just stunning 😍 the most beautiful side on the island I reckon. Thanks for watching

[@jaypee7440]

Another fantastic video. Outstanding KZbinr. Best part are the interviews with people. Thank you 🙏

[@Chai_Travel]

Glad you enjoyed it! :D Thanks for the compliment

[@lionelfaure8191]

Great ! Very interesting to have these lot of variety of feedback !Also very exciting to see and hear your feedback about Myanmar ! Perfect and very nice video ! Next trip to Cambodia in June .

[@Chai_Travel]

Thanks! Exiting times ahead of us 🤩

[@markhoneyman8856]

On the island now my 5th time. I love it here a great place to relax and get some beach time. The food is hit and miss but I know which restaurant to avoid now.

[@Chai_Travel]

Ah good one Mark. Make the most of it 😃 thanks again

[@wneighbor2523]

Very beautiful

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@veronicamarthinsen6951]

So agree with your first interviewed lady! Europe is no good, hope you all have a great time!

[@Chai_Travel]

I hope Europe will be better soon

[@veronicamarthinsen6951]

@@Chai_Travel We will rather go to Southeast Asia, also filming! So we will be coming in November I think :D SE Asia is much better :P

[@Chai_Travel]

Nice! Exiting times ahead. Stay in touch

[@4985muhammadali]

Koh rong❤ 😍 nice video chai and Thanks for the changes in video giving names on the side of the video above subtitles, really appreciated , i wish this beautiful place to be as natural as it is, thanks for covering up

[@Chai_Travel]

Haha thanks mate! I’m glad you said something about it! Cheers

[@antruok4950]

Great video my friend - certainly everyone is nervous about development , I think it will stay the same for now - quality people & a beautiful spot 🤩👍😃👋😎

[@Chai_Travel]

Thanks! Yeah tbh I expected it to be more of a construction site. Maybe covid slowed it all down 🤷‍♂️ the airport will make this island very busy so I’d recommend giving this island a visit within the next two years (if you can) 😁 thanks mate

[@greenboygamer907]

I just wish that cambodia will soon finally get a properlly political so that we can take more easily in responsibility😥

[@Chai_Travel]

🙏

[@chaya973]

Investment in sihanoukville is investment in the Techo Canal which will improve Phnom Penh and the rest of Cambodia.

[@coreana.aesthetics]

I think it is important to make it more liveable in Koh Rong with clean water, electricity, and rubbish management. We cannot stay the same. Not all development is bad.

[@Chai_Travel]

Definitief. Work in progress:)

[@mezzanine3362]

but chinese development is always. cambodians doing nearly nothing by themselfs. this is the major problem...

[@SaskiaStange]

my first time i was there in 2017 during rainy season and at this time there wasńt many tourist on the island. The most beautiful thing was to walk from on beach(Coconut beach to the Village) to another through the jungle above the beaches. There was no road up there, only a path surrounded by wonderful green nature. Now i guess it´s not the same anymore and this makes my sad because the island is really a beautiful and calm place. I keep it in mind how it was then.

[@Chai_Travel]

You keep that memory for ever Saskia :) I'm happy to hear you had such beautiful experience here in South East Asia. It's still a wonderful island and in my next upload I'd like to show you the current state of the island. It's still paradise, but with more development 😅 Thanks for sharing your story

[@fiatfi]

Good one brother. Did many trips to Cambodia back in the day. Cheers from Northern Sri Lanka!

[@Chai_Travel]

Thanks brother. Nice! I’ve only been East, South and West Sri Langka. Have fun and take care

[@4985muhammadali]

Congratulations Chai ❤ 58000 subscribers with 500 videos wow 🤩❤✌😊👍

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you so much 😃 haha the 500 do includes shorts but ey, I try to keep them coming 😊

[@hoeunphon196]

I agree with last guy .

[@ThatOneCambodian]

New to the channel 🎉 subscribed instantly cause i know travelling videos are bangers

[@Chai_Travel]

Haha thanks mate. Welcome the this channel 😃

[@ThatOneCambodian]

@@Chai_Travel No problem

[@rimloch3919]

Bravo Magda❤ Hravatica❤ she planned two weeks staying at Koh Rong, but still staying there long time from January n now April May, wondering how long more she will be there?

[@annprom298]

Thanks brother and sister you are the best ❤️ Cambodia.thank

[@user-ex1xe3qm3i]

អគុណ❤❤

[@RetiredGlobalLife]

It is interesting... We all search for "unspoiled" and authentic places, yet when too many of us go there, it tends to lose the very thing we came for. I guess there is no solution for that, other than to try to respect where you travel to without seeking to change it. "Leave no footprint" as some say. Sad to hear the Chinese investment has ruined the first city you mentioned. Excellent interviews as always!

[@Chai_Travel]

Cheers mate. Leave no footprints is the way :) I’ll have a look at your channel now!

[@DonlineCambodia]

Chai thak you so much

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you for watching 😊

[@gabe.ch5555]

The insatiable greed of Chinese investors has turned Sihanoukville into a "sad-look ville !!!" And I fear they will turn Ko rong into a "Koh wrong" in their tireless greed for money......😔😔😪😪😪

[@Chai_Travel]

Indeed, though who knows what it looks like in a decade

[@jadej51]

😂😂😂😂 sadly true my friend

[@kimhour2926]

Let’s visit Koh Kong island. Not the beach but amazing nature

[@suryavarman6058]

100% are going to generate more income for the local with the airport on the island. And definitely be on the new idea don't get stuck with old get in with new nobody can go wrong with more tourist pouring in.

[@Chai_Travel]

Yeah there is two sides of the coin I’m afraid. Life will get more expensive there as well. Hopefully the Khmer people will benefit most from this

[@teriod100]

I was there almost two months ago. It was nice experience. For sure, that airport is gonna be a mess for that island. For the Croatian girl I would recommend a restaurant in the north of the island "natural kitchen" is the name, is perfect!!!!

[@Chai_Travel]

Nice! Thanks for the tip :)

[@noblenb]

The airport for the plane is not good because it take up land that can be use for other things and it might taken away the water tranportation crossing between mainland and island. Maybe have plane that could land on water.

[@DanielNguyen-jv1jf]

Nice Video, thanks!!! Are there no ferries that run directly between Koh Rong and Phu Quoc?

[@Chai_Travel]

Thanks mate! There are not as there's no immigration office on the island. That would be a way to cross borders! :D

[@TheBureauAsia]

Sadly the writing's on the wall for Koh Rong with that airport being developed, go now if you haven't been 😅

[@Chai_Travel]

Go now is the best advice:) thanks for watching again 😊

[@Jack-2day]

Secound that, i was on Koh Samui before the airport in “80. This will change everything even quicker in todays world.

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@Jack-2day Wow, that's a while back!

[@mhouse1572]

Unfortunately, US and EU are not investing in Cambodia. The Chinese government is investing in EU, US, Thailand, Africa and all over the world with bigger infrastructure development…

[@linasin1646]

❤🇰🇭

[@user-ds2lm8uz6s]

When the first woman say Koh Ron Don’t have good food it’s blowing my mind and it’s Surprise me

[@mezzanine3362]

its true. every time I go to Koh Rong i get stomache problems...

[@Belv6]

You going to do a video on Koh Rong sanloem, ? its always been a more relaxing island compared to koh rong but there are story's now of Cambodian government giving all hotels on the beach front move on order so Chinese developers can move in, I remember walking through the jungle to get from one side of the island to the other, its now all been bulldozed for development

[@Chai_Travel]

Hihi, nope! I'm staying on Koh Rong. Just taking it easy. Next video I'll be showing a big part of the Island. Hopefully later this year I can come back with Noona and visit Sanloem :)

[@sohinkhun6241]

🥰🥰💖💓

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you ❤️

[@sohinkhun6241]

@@Chai_Travel thanks for your help video.🥰🥰🥰💖💓

[@rayuthsem1856]

Royal Group and The Airport is not Chinese investor. It is one of the local biggest investor company in Cambodia.

[@Chai_Travel]

It is a Cambodian company indeed

[@206guy5]

People use to go to Sihonoukville because it was like Koh Rong now when it comes to being a lazy beach town. Now that Chinese moved in, people tend to avoid it and go to Koh Rong. Now, it looks like Chinese are planning to go to Koh Rong too. What a shame.

[@Chai_Travel]

Let's see where this goes. I really hope it will keep its charm

[@KhomAsian]

I really hope Cambodia gov think long term think further to preserve the beauty of this island and not to ruin the whole area like they did in Sihanoukville (turn a big land to China city). Besides the ancient temples, island is the 2nd treasure for Cambodia, not mention the art and culture (that has been heavily worshipped by siem thai - according to world's researcher Britannica Dictionary) since it is untouchable.

[@dylanlewis3668]

How did you get from siem reap to there

[@fredthegreat745]

AirAsia has flight from SR to SHV, only take a hour or so

[@Chai_Travel]

I went from Siem Reap to Battambang, then Phnom Penh- Koh Rong Maybe you like to see my journey from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmSXkouZYrGMepo

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Once chinese go in, too bad for the island. They will do hainan island sanya method.

[@Chai_Travel]

Hmm let's see

[@rafski-travels-1984]

Do people want things to stay the same? People want 24/7 internet and amenities but they also want it to be charming. Rustic charm or just charming in a general sense? But I get it though if it's too built up, pollution and the prices go up if it becomes more developed. Chinese and Cambodian businesses I can't see them protecting the environment that much which includes recycling facilities etc a lot of corners will be cut, that's my experience. If the Chinese develop it then they might make it less attractive to Western tourists who value more of the ecotourist vibe, but at the same time, I can't see that many Chinese tourists coming anyway because many Chinese people still think the Khmer Rouge is still killing people in Cambodia and that they might get their kidneys stolen in their sleep haha. But for sure the Chinese would change it into China-style Disneyland haha. In environments like this developers soon learn that the healthy ecology is what brings tourists in anyways so they either have to limit development or be very mindful, a catch-22 scenario.

[@Chai_Travel]

Ow I insure you, many will come over ;) I think what the majority of the people want; that the island keeps its island vibes and that the Khmer people benefit the most from all the development.

[@tarotsoul23]

The channel claims in the bio -''travel and meet interesting people in South East Asia 🏆 I show you how I travel and we're meeting a lot of people along the way, doing a lot of street interviews. I'm able to show you other people's experiences so you have a better picture of what the paces are really like.''. all the videos are about what foreigners think of Asia. Not a single video that shows the local's perspective on foreigners(which countries they love n hate & them explaining their situation,culture.)

[@Chai_Travel]

Yes, it’s a travel channel for foreign people who are interested in visiting South East Asia

[@tarotsoul23]

not a channel about the locals perspective of their own land & on foreigners.

[@lazerlabmusic9625]

The Chinese investors will most probably ruin the island in the same way they did with Sihanoukvile. The authorities should stop them.

[@Chai_Travel]

Ow I hope not 😅

[@malmoran8643]

That Woman generalised about the whole of Europe .

[@Chai_Travel]

Yeah, her experience. I can see what see means though

[@malmoran8643]

@@Chai_Travel nah

[@cameronpratt6164]

It was very sus for the white dude that was their as a boat tour guide. That job should definitely belong to a local.

[@Chai_Travel]

Maybe. It’s to hard to judge from just the information we know of his situation

[@catzzz2619]

Blah blah that bs

[@captainphinn45]

You are on the rong island 🤣

[@Chai_Travel]

Haha no. Because it can't Ko Rong 🤓

[@schow2020]

Koh Rong needs to be developed and attract more wealthy tourists. It does not need cheap backpackers who spend $20. One time I was on the way to Koh Rong in a bus full of backpackers, and they complained about everything such as the $3 lunch was a rip-off for them. They wanted a refund because the bus AC did not work. Many Cambodians did not realize the backpackers made them poor. Dubai is rich because of the wealthy tourists.

[@Kimbuja777]

As a Khmer Canadian, I did not like the backpackers. All they do is drink, drugs, party and litter. I also felt like I wasn't in my home country either. The backpackers made it uncomfortable for me in my own home country.

[@Jack-2day]

@@Kimbuja777 Just wait till the airport is built, you’ll soon be dreaming of the old days….

[@coreana.aesthetics]

I had a discussion with my brother and mentioned that backpacker complaints about $3 coffee. If you are poor, do not travel. Stay home! Local Cambodian need to make money for a living too. We, Khmer, never complain about these pricing unless it is extraordinarily high.

[@mezzanine3362]

without this backpackers no one would travel to cambodia. it´s a 3rd world country. thats why wealthy people prefer go to Thailand basically and come only for a few days of Angkor Wat. and backpackers are not poor in most cases they just travel long term

[@SawItWithMyOwnEyes]

Going to turn into the Chinese Virgin Islands

[@Chai_Travel]

Ow I hope not 😅

[@jamalgreen3056]

These people be coming out of there mouth saying anything you cannot live no where off of a tourist visa 🤔🤣🤣my god.Otherwise she will still be in Thailand but she’s not because immigration a about to do massive crack down on everybody.

[@Chai_Travel]

Hmmm

[@stuh9584]

European tourists moaning about tourists and just talking about drinking and smoking weed 😂

[@Chai_Travel]

Nah

[@user-wb4qb7iv2r]

🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭🤣🤣😆😆😆

[@Chai_Travel]

What’s happening:)?

[@taaek3234]

Chinese will take over Cambodia pretty soon the locals can not competes with the Chinese at the end sad very sad for the Khmer people

[@Chai_Travel]

I’m not too sure about that

[@catzzz2619]

Chinese colony Cambodia

[@PringleMedia]

Chinese again…? Stop it please

[@Chai_Travel]

Chinese investors 😅

[@rothapov3102]

welcome to cambodia 🇰🇭🇰🇭👍ការអភិវឌ្ឍកោះនេះដោយឧកញ្ញាខ្មែរក្រុមហ៊ុនroyal group

[@Chai_Travel]

Thank you 😊