Young Polish restaurateur dies on Koh Rong

A well‑known Polish restaurant owner has died on Koh Rong Island in Cambodia, adding to a series of recent tragedies involving Westerners in the region.

Local media reported that , aged just 38, passed away on 14 August. He was the owner of DOBRO, a popular restaurant in Koh Rong City. Staff told reporters that he had long struggled with heavy drinking and had been advised by doctors to stop. On the night of 13 August, after consuming alcohol, he vomited blood. His condition worsened the following morning and he was taken to Koh Rong City Health Centre, where doctors confirmed he had already died.

Police and forensic experts examined the body and found no signs of injury. His remains are being kept at Preah Sihanouk Provincial Referral Hospital.

Maksymowicz’s death has shocked the island community, where he was known as a young entrepreneur who had built a reputation among locals and tourists alike. It also highlights a troubling pattern: in recent months, several Western nationals have died in Cambodia and neighbouring Thailand under varying circumstances, from health complications to suspected suicides and accidents.

Authorities have investigated cases involving British, German and American citizens, often linked to alcohol abuse, illness or unsafe living conditions. While each case is different, together they underline the risks faced by foreigners living or travelling long‑term in Southeast Asia, where access to healthcare can be limited and lifestyles sometimes involve heavy drinking or drug use.

Cambodia has seen a growing influx of expatriates and tourists, particularly on islands such as Koh Rong, drawn by its beaches and nightlife. But the deaths of young and middle‑aged Westerners have raised questions about health awareness, support networks and the pressures of expatriate life.

For now, the focus remains on the loss of Maksymowicz, remembered by friends and staff as a passionate restaurateur who brought Polish flavours to Koh Rong. His death at such a young age is a reminder of the fragility of life abroad — and of the importance of health precautions in a region where medical facilities are often stretched.

-2026-08-16