Families enjoy a day at the beach in Preah Sihanouk province recently. Yousos Apdoulrashim
The government has established a new town in Preah Sihanouk named “Kampong Som”, adding to the province’s existing two towns.
The new town comprises five communes that have been separated from Prey Nob district: Ream, Bit Traing, O’Oknha Heng, Boeung Ta Prohm and O’Chrov. The creation of Kampong Som town means that the province now includes both Kampong Som and Preah Sihanouk town, the latter commonly referred to as Kampong Som by locals.
According to a sub-decree signed by Prime Minister Hun Manet on August 28, the administrative office for Kampong Som will be located in Ream commune. The five communes will be reclassified as sangkats (urban communes) and will continue under their current administration until a new town council and administration are established.
Provincial deputy governor Long Dimanche stated that before the creation of Kampong Som the province already had two towns – Sihanoukville and Krong Koh Rong – and three districts: Prey Nob, Kampong Seila and Stung Hav.
He explained that the decision to separate the five communes from Prey Nob to form a new town was due to the district's large size. The new town aims to bring services closer to residents, investors, tourists and the security sector.
He added that the Ream area is expected to become a new town in the future, attracting more residents and investment, as part of plans to develop the province into a multi-purpose special economic zone (SEZ). He noted that the establishment of the town is intended to ensure that services are readily available for residents and investors.
According to a 2017 research document from the provincial administration, Kampong Som town was originally established in 1957 by King Norodom Suramarit and was located in Ream commune, Kampot district, then part of Kampot province.
In 1959, he created a small town named Sihanoukville to replace Kampong Som at the port area.
The town retained the name Sihanoukville under the reign of King Norodom Sihanouk and his Sangkum Reastr Niyum (People's Socialist Community). However, it was renamed Kampong Som town again following the coup that overthrew him on March 18, 1970. In 1993, Kampong Som town was officially renamed Sihanoukville.
Preah Sihanouk province was formally established in 2008 by separating Kampong Seila district from Koh Kong province, and Sihanoukville town and surrounding areas from Kampot province, according to the same document.
Preah Sihanouk province was formally established in 2008 by combining Koh Kong province’s Kampong Seila district with Sihanoukville town and surrounding districts, which were originally part of Kampot province.
