Cambidia News, Sihanoukville: After a slight improvement in coastal meteorological conditions was confirmed this morning, Mr. Kouch Chamroeun, Governor of Preah Sihanouk Province, on July 17, 2023, informed the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Police Commissioner to arrange for large boats to embark tourists who were stranded on Koh Rong due to high winds and waves.

The provincial governor issued the order after receiving the information that on the morning of July 17, the wind and waves had weakened slightly, and naval officers were on hand to help prepare the ferry and ensure that passengers all wore safety vests.



Mr. Kouch Chamroeun confirmed that there were about 500 people stranded on Koh Rong, and today the provincial administration allowed the release of five large boats to transport the guests back.
All fishing boats and ferries transporting passengers at sea were completely suspended by the Sihanoukville Provincial Administration on the evening of July 14, 2023, after the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology announced the following forecast for July 15-20: An active low pressure over the northern Philippines develops, which could become a fourth typhoon on July 15. The typhoon is expected enter the South China Sea and continue into northern Vietnam during July 19.
As a result, the Cambodian coastal weather warning, with restrictions on all coastal vessels, is expected to last until 19 or 20 July.

jaynewcastle wrote: ↑Tue Jul 18, 2023 12:58 pm I wonder why they had to be rescued ?, rather than just waiting a couple of days til the weather improved ?

Tourists were starting to panic about missing their flights out of Cambodia. Then they started posting stuff like "OMG Help" on social media, and a rescue using a number of big boats was organised by the Sihanoukville governor.
Probably a good move on his part.

At least the storm enticed them to wear those life vests. When I went to the islands in May, no self-respecting tourist could be arsed to wear them.

google translate strikes again

So is it possible to go there now for a few days? Thinking about going down to the islands from Phnom Penh for a few days.....

Got back from SHV yesterday, the weather was a bit shit, but not "abandon ship" panic levels; definitely seen far worse down there previously.

Better to wait another couple of days, the weather is still very bad right now.
The waves got down a little, the fishing boats were back at sea this morning but I wouldn't take a boat today.
Can't swim here on the west coast of KRS.