Sihanoukville struggles to shake its seedy image

11 August 2014
The Cambodia Daily
Economic policy and administration / Government / Industries / Law and judiciary / Laws and regulations / Ministries and other national bodies / Ministry of Tourism / Provincial and local governments / Social development / Social security and veterans / Tourism
Chhit Sokhom / Government-Private Sector Working Group on Tourism / Ho Vandy / Kol Phaly / M’Lop Tapang / Ministry of Tourism / Nop Panha / Ochheuteal Beach / Otres Beach / Serendipity Beach / Sihanoukville Tourist Association / U.S. Embassy / Victory Beach

This tourist town counts itself among the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club and more than 1 million tourists each year are drawn to its tropical water and sandy shore. Yet when the U.S. Embassy last month warned its citizens to avoid some beaches here after sundown for fear of violence, few were surprised. Sihanoukville has become a haven for high-end development in recent years, with private beach resorts, luxury island retreats, five-star hotels and casinos rising up along its coast. But as the town’s star grows brighter on the tourist map, Ochheuteal Beach and the adjoining backpacker hub Serendipity Beach retain their reputation as the perfect place to find trouble in paradise. …

 Ouch Sony and Simon Henderson
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/sihanoukville-struggles-to-shake-its-seedy-image-66108/