SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia — It was a hot, clear day. The kind of day when, a few months ago, the beach here would have been crowded with tourists deciding whether to drink a $1 beer or a $1 fresh coconut juice.

 

Instead, the beach was almost deserted. Women wandered with trays of fresh lobsters perfectly balanced on their heads or carrying kits for performing pedicures, touting in vain for customers. 

 

Men lounged on chairs at their restaurants offering barbecued squid and local curries. But the only patrons were stray cats and flies.

 

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What a shame. Had a few nice trips to what was a very nice sleepy seaside town with lovely beaches. Very cheap. Lots of oddballs hanging around with interesting stories to tell. Also met a few Ex Pat's moved over after having enough of the Thai experience. Wonder how that's all working out?

I have seen it totally change over the last four years.  The only expats remaining in Sihanoukville are a few with business interests, homes, or those who like to fleece the Chinese gamblers who don't have a clue on how to play poker.

 

Kep and Kampot are the new locations for expats seeking a bit of a quite life.

6 hours ago, geovalin said:

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It's not nice to give a link that requires a subscription.

35 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

It's not nice to give a link that requires a subscription.

The link works for me , and I certainly don't have a subscription to Bezos rag.

A post containing a slur comment toward the Chinese has been removed as well as a reply. 

Spend a few weeks at the beaches there every year in low season. Certainly Western tourist numbers are down but still worth going to. About half (or less!) the cost of holidaying in Thailand. The beach can be a problem late at night if you get separated from the crowd but most people seem to enjoy themselves. Offshore islands have better beaches and clearer (eg cleaner) water and although most accom is at a basic to medium level you can find a few nice resorts.

Better get used to it. They will overrun SEA very soon

I remember 10-12 years ago there was nothing there, so I guess these things run in pretty quick cycles--when you're starting from zero...