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Lately I have seen a lot of articles on CEO about Chinese gangs in Sihanoukville and expats getting killed, beaten, or getting involved in "accidents" and I am curious for those of you who currently live or are staying in Sihanoukville what it is actually like. I have done as much research as the internet will allow me to do but ultimately it fails in comparison to the experience of the people who live the everyday life in Sihanoukville today. So I came to ask you the people what you think, feel, and advise. Is Sihanoukville a safe place to live in for expats alike or is it a place that I should stay away from? I came across this youtube video and I have to say that staying in that hotel is extremely tempting as it looks like the perfect vacation and relaxation spot. Thoughts?

No date on this vid. Think its changed quite a bit since then.

bittermelon wrote: ↑Thu Nov 08, 2018 4:46 am No date on this vid. Think its changed quite a bit since then.

Published on Oct 21, 2015

I didn't like it much before the Chinese invasion, with the exception of the island escapes. It had too many people you would want to avoid (drugs & old sexpats). Good old shitsville, literally had sewage pumped right into the ocean where people were swimming in it.



I much preferred Kep and Kampot myself. Kep has a small beach, I stayed at Saravoan hotel to walk across the street with my son to have a quick swim. Tara Lodge was a good one up the hill.

Knai Bang Chat I know the grounds and pool were great, setting at Sailing Club is perfect. No idea about rooms as I slept in staff lodging.

So I recommend you check out Kep or Kampot instead. Or both as they are so close to each other.

Except for the fruit, nothing in that video exists anymore. The only reasons to come here are, you are Chinese and you want to gamble or or work in the building trade and its associated sub industries( gangs, drugs, Prostitution, etc) or you're Khmer and you want to carry bricks.
You can still find a little of the stuff in that video in Otres, but many of the guesthouses are for sale or closed and there is a huge building site there.

Rabbit island 30 minutes off of Kep is the perfect getaway ( EXCEPT high season weekends) small wooden bungalows right on the beach,inexpensive food an beer and hammocks hanging in the trees
no discos,no bars, no casinos

Kep, from the crab market, to downtown Kampot is only 21 kms

Posted on this thread: post252095.html?hilit=chinese%20takeove ... eo#p252074
Sihanoukville video, March 2018:

my god, my last visit to snv was back in 2016,
looks like no reason to return..

You will not find a room for even $20 per night.

Most of the beachfront bars are gone.

Raw sewage covers some road, which now have little tarmac and dust is everywhere.

The change in 18 months has been incredible.

LaudJohn wrote: ↑Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:11 am You will not find a room for even $20 per night.

Most of the beachfront bars are gone.

Raw sewage covers some road, which now have little tarmac and dust is everywhere.

The change in 18 months has been incredible.

yeah im going to drive down next week, although seeing how much its changed since even Feb will probably depress me, it was depressing before but i already know of a lot of changes since then