Essential information and facts about Cambodia: Capital Phnom Penh
Total Area Population Religion
Languages Unemployment
181,
035sq.km 16.9 million
Buddhist (official)
Ethnic Groups Khmer (97%), Cham, Chinese, Vietnamese
Khmer (official)
Currency Riels (KHR) 1.1 per cent
Tourism 6.6m (2019)
Government type Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Chief of State
King Norodom Sihamoni (since 2004)
Head of Government Prime Minister Hun Sen (since 1985)
Elections Monarch chosen by nine member Royal Council of the Trone among eligible males of royal descent. Following elections member of the majority party of majority coalition named Prime Minister
Back in 2015, Sihanoukville had nine casinos licences, a handful of hotels and several hostels. By 2018 the skyline was filled with high rise hotels and condominiums. Tese have mostly been funded by Chinese investors and as such workers from China also flooded into the area which in turn saw a growth in the online gambling and casino sector. At its peak there were 91 casinos in the area.
“Te MoH has not yet confirmed when it will visit Donaco’s Star Vegas Resort & Club in Poipet to assess approval, however Donaco anticipates it will be within a few weeks (August 2020).”
Neighbouring Tailand however extended its state of emergency to August 31, which will undoubtedly impact any potential easing of border restrictions between the two countries.
Over in Bavet, on the border of Vietnam, there were 12 casinos in 2017 and 13 in 2019. Te border closes at night so is less convenient however it is just two hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City.
Sihanoukville, meanwhile, sits on the Gulf of Tailand and has been a key development area funded mostly by Chinese investment and has become one of the fastest growing gaming jurisdictions. A port city, it was once a backpacker haven and lured in Westerners with its low priced accommodation and pristine beaches.
Te sea port is also a major transit point for goods produced in Cambodia and this has boosted development of the Special Economic Zone, which houses around 90 factories with a grand plan for 300 in the future. Te area began to flourish, but as more tourists and businesses arrived, so too did the demand for more hotels and housing. Te city struggled under the weight of the extended population – its roads, sewage and water infrastructure needed upgrading.
Back in 2015, the area had nine casinos licences, a handful of hotels and several hostels. By 2018 the skyline was filled with high rise hotels and condominiums. Tese have mostly been funded by Chinese investors and as such workers from China also flooded into the area, which in turn saw a growth in the online gambling and casino sector. At its peak there were 91 casinos in Sihanoukville.
A new $300m road infrastructure project began to be developed to help turn the city into a ‘multi purpose commercial hub’ and also to connect the city to the airport.
In 2005, the Kang Keng airport had very few flights, but over the last three years there has been a huge increase in air travel mostly aided
by casino and construction activity for the fast growing tourism sector. Around 20 flights a day now arrive from China.
Despite the huge amount of investment the Chinese pumped into the Sihanoukville area, in recent years Cambodians have become increasingly concerned over unscrupulous business practices, crime and sanitation issues. Last year there were warnings about rising crime with an increase in kidnappings and murders involving Chinese nationals in the city.
In April last year, officials closed down the Sunshine Bay Hotel and Casino, which was reportedly flushing sewage from the hotel into the sea at Sihanoukville’s Independence Beach.
Te Chinese owned hotel and casino is the second hotel to be shut with similar reports. Te Jin Ding Hotel and Casino on Koh Rong Samloem island was closed in mid-March last year.
Te Jin Ding only opened in early 2019 and was also reported for loud music on the beach and the illegal operation of online gambling and apparently opened without a licence. Te island lies off the coast of Sihanoukville, which is
NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE / MARKET DATA P25
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