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116-800: The city, which was named in honor of the former king Norodom Sihanouk , had a population of around 89,800 people and approximately 66,700 in its urban center in 2008. Sihanoukville city encompasses the greater part of six communes ( Sangkats ) in Sihanoukville Province. It has evolved parallel to the construction of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port , which commenced in June 1955, as the country's gateway to direct and unrestricted international sea trade. The only deep-water port in Cambodia includes an oil terminal and

232-423: A constitutional monarchy by vesting policy-making powers in the prime minister rather than the king. He viewed socialism as an ideal concept for establishing social equality and fostering national cohesion within newly independent Cambodia. In March 1956, he embarked on a national programme of " Buddhist socialism ", promoting socialist principles on the one hand while maintaining the kingdom's Buddhist culture on

348-674: A government-in-exile and a resistance movement there. He encouraged Cambodians to fight the new government and backed the Khmer Rouge during the Cambodian Civil War . He returned as figurehead head of state after the Khmer Rouge's victory in 1975. His relations with the new government soured, and in 1976 he resigned. He was placed under house arrest until Vietnamese forces overthrew the Khmer Rouge in 1979. Sihanouk went into exile again and in 1981 formed FUNCINPEC ,

464-658: A shadow government made up of Sangkum legislators with left-wing sympathies. At the end of the month, Lon Nol offered to resign from his position, but was stopped from doing so by Sihanouk. In April 1967, the Samlaut Uprising occurred, with local peasants fighting against government troops in Samlaut, Battambang . As soon as government troops managed to quell the fighting, Sihanouk began to suspect that three left-wing Sangkum legislators – Khieu Samphan, Hou Yuon and Hu Nim – had incited

580-589: A base camp into the unoccupied jungle in the area that is now known as Hawaii Beach. Funds for the construction of the port came from France and the road was financed by the United States. During the Vietnam War the port became a military facility for both sides: in the service of National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam and after 1970, under the government of Lon Nol , in the service of

696-504: A citizenry militia which attracted about 130,000 recruits. In August 1953, France agreed to cede control over judicial and interior affairs to Cambodia, and in October 1953 the defense ministry as well. At the end of October, Sihanouk went to Phnom Penh, where he declared Cambodia's independence from France on 9 November 1953. In May 1954, Sihanouk sent two of his cabinet ministers, Nhiek Tioulong and Tep Phan, to represent Cambodia at

812-523: A commercial Emporium." Crawfurd later wrote: "The Cambodians...sought to use intervals of peace in the Siam - Vietnam wars to develop intercourse with outside nations. The trade at Kampot which they sought to foster was imperiled by pirates. Here is a point where the wedge might be inserted, that would open the interior of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula to British Commerce, as the great River of

928-763: A coup, which led to Thanh becoming prime minister. When the French returned to Cambodia in October 1945, Thanh was dismissed and replaced by Sihanouk's uncle Sisowath Monireth . Monireth negotiated for greater autonomy in managing Cambodia's internal affairs. A modus vivendi signed in January 1946 granted Cambodia autonomy within the French Union . A joint French-Cambodian commission was set up after that to draft Cambodia's constitution, and in April 1946 Sihanouk introduced clauses which provided for an elected parliament on

1044-578: A debate. Five of them attended. At the debate, held at the Royal Palace , Sihanouk spoke in a belligerent tone, challenging the Democrat leaders to present evidence of malfeasance in his government and inviting them to join the Sangkum. The Democrat leaders gave hesitant responses, and, according to American historian David P. Chandler , this gave the audience the impression that they were disloyal to

1160-531: A distinct policy by the 1850s, seeking to consolidate its influence. Eyewitness reports give rare insights, as Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston's agent John Crawfurd reports: "Cambodia was...the Keystone of our policy in these countries, - the King of that ancient Kingdom is ready to throw himself under the protection of any European nation...The Vietnamese were interfering with the trade at Kampot, and this would be

1276-506: A new water supply from the Prek Tuk Sap and existing lagoons; these were subsequently cut off from the sea and used as the initial source for town supply. The reservoirs are still operational, although insufficient for today's demands. The area connects with the city center along a single highway via typical irregular successions of residential buildings. The mangrove-lined Ou Trojak Jet River, which runs from Otres Pagoda to Otres Beach,

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1392-466: A number of the songs he wrote. Some of his songs were about his wife Monique , the nations neighboring Cambodia, and the communist leaders who supported him in his exile. In the 1980s, Sihanouk held concerts for diplomats in New York City. He also participated in concerts at his palace during his second reign. Sihanouk is remembered for his role in shaping modern Cambodia, particularly in leading

1508-643: A resistance party. The following year, he became president of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK), a broad coalition of anti-Vietnamese resistance factions which retained Cambodia's seat at the United Nations, making him Cambodia's internationally recognized head of state. In the late 1980s, informal talks were carried out to end hostilities between the Vietnam-supported People's Republic of Kampuchea and

1624-504: A result the local economy is largely defined by its deep water port and the nearby oil terminal . Attached is a regularly modernized cargo storage and logistics facility which serves numerous shipping companies, freight forwarders, suppliers, and maintenance contractors. All of these are based in the port's vicinity. The Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville transport corridor is the premier national trade route, accounting for about 75 percent of Cambodia's trade traffic. Other sizable economic sectors of

1740-562: A trade embargo on Cambodia, preventing trading ships from travelling up the Mekong river to Phnom Penh . While Sihanouk professed that he was pursuing a policy of neutrality , Sarit and Diem remained distrustful of him, more so after he established formal diplomatic relations with China in 1958. The Democratic party continued to criticize the Sangkum and Sihanouk in their newspaper, much to Sihanouk's consternation. In August 1957, Sihanouk finally lost patience, calling out Democrat leaders for

1856-527: A transport logistics facility. The city has developed into the country's primary hub for coastal tourism , including as a gambling destination. The official name of the city in Khmer is: krong ('city'), preah ('holy') Sihanouk (name of the former king), which adds up to: "City of the Holy Sihanouk" or "Honorable Sihanouk City". King Norodom Sihanouk (reigned 1941–1955, 1993–2004) is revered as

1972-467: A view to winning left-wing support from the Pracheachon. The Pracheachon on their part fielded five candidates for the elections. However, four of them withdrew, as they were prevented by the national police from holding any election rallies. When voting took place, the Sangkum won all seats in the national assembly. In December 1958 Ngo Dinh Nhu , Diem's younger brother and chief adviser, broached

2088-564: Is 290 metres (950 feet) long by 28 metres (92 feet) wide and can accommodate four vessels with medium gross register tonnage (GRT) at both sides. The exterior berth is −8.50 to −13 metres (−27.9 to −42.7 feet) depth, while the interior berth is −7.50 to −8.50 metres (−24.6 to −27.9 feet) depth. The Government of Cambodia had constructed a 350 m (1,148 ft) long new quay with −10.5 m (−34 ft) maximum draft in 1966. At present, this new quay can accommodate three vessels with −7 m (−23 ft) draft medium GRT. The construction of

2204-411: Is Sihanoukville's longest river. In the tidal mangrove area Barramundi, mangrove jacks, and barracuda are the prize targets for sport anglers; the lower section harbors a marina. Restaurants along the south bank of the river serve fresh seafood supplied by the local inshore fishing boats. Due to their proximity to the sea, mangroves line large parts of the rivers. All the islands listed below fall under

2320-527: Is at the tip of the rolling hills of a peninsula on the Gulf of Thailand . To its northwest and at its center it rises up to 15 metres (49 ft) above sea level , whereas the land gently and steadily flattens towards extended coastal plains, marshlands and beaches in the south and southeast. The Gulf of Thailand 's shallow depths and the local climate are moderate in contrast to the South China Sea to

2436-450: Is known as Samdech Euv (meaning "King Father"). During his lifetime, Cambodia was under various regimes, from French colonial rule (until 1953), a Japanese puppet state (1945), an independent kingdom (1953–1970), a military republic (1970–1975), the Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979), a Vietnamese-backed communist regime (1979–1989), a transitional communist regime (1989–1993) to eventually another kingdom (since 1993). Sihanouk

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2552-665: Is the right side of the road . There is no formally adopted road and road transport policy in Cambodia. Although Cambodia's traffic laws are the same as those of any other country, with respect to the country's membership of the ASEAN , that requires recognition of ratified agreements, regular traffic only functions on a basic level and in times of low density. Conduct is still traditional as smaller and slower vehicles are expected to yield to big vehicles. The city's law enforcement has been accused of failing to enforce international norms. A habit of running predictable checkpoints has developed over

2668-492: The Communist Party of Kampuchea , suspected that Samouth had been secretly captured and killed by police. Sihanouk nevertheless allowed Sangkum's left-wing politicians to run again in the 1962 general elections , which they all won. He even appointed two left-wing politicians, Hou Yuon and Khieu Samphan , as secretaries for planning and commerce, respectively, after the election. In November 1962, Sihanouk called on

2784-553: The Export-Import Bank of China . A sizable industrial center, exclusively composed of Chinese companies, has been developed since 2010. As of March 2020, the SSEZ had 174 factories employing more than 30,000 people. Today, the city's main export is garments, but it also produces and exports timber, logs, and rubber. Cambodia is one of the few least developed countries (LDCs) to export over US$ 2 billion. Since Cambodia became

2900-535: The François Baudoin school and Nuon Moniram school in Phnom Penh. During this time, he received financial support from his maternal grandfather, Sisowath Monivong , to head an amateur performance troupe and soccer team. In 1936, Sihanouk was sent to Saigon , where he pursued his secondary education at Lycée Chasseloup Laubat, a boarding school. When the reigning king Monivong died on 23 April 1941

3016-516: The Geneva Conference . The agreements affirmed Cambodia's independence and allowed it to seek military aid from any country without restrictions. At the same time, Sihanouk's relations with the governing Democrat party remained strained, as they were wary of his growing political influence. To counter Democrat opposition, Sihanouk held a national referendum to gauge public approval for his efforts to seek national independence. While

3132-731: The Governor-General of French Indochina , Jean Decoux , chose Sihanouk to succeed him. Sihanouk's appointment as king was formalised the following day by the Cambodian Crown Council, and his coronation ceremony took place on 3 May 1941. During the Japanese occupation of Cambodia , he dedicated most of his time to sports, filming, and the occasional tour to the countryside. In March 1945 the Japanese military, which had occupied Cambodia since August 1941, dissolved

3248-624: The Khmer Issarak . Sihanouk ordered the Democrat-led government to arrest Thanh but was ignored. Subsequently, civil demonstrations against the monarchy and the French broke out in the countryside, alarming Sihanouk, who began to suspect that the Democrats were complicit. In June 1952 Sihanouk dismissed the Democrat nominee Huy Kanthoul and made himself prime minister. A few days later, Sihanouk privately confided in exasperation to

3364-674: The Khmer Renovation Party party of Lon Nol , the People's Party and the Liberal Party . At the same time, Sihanouk was running out of patience with the increasingly leftist Democratic Party and the left-wing Pracheachon , as both had refused to merge into his party and had campaigned against him. He appointed as director of national security Dap Chhuon, who ordered the national police to jail their leaders and break up their election rallies. When elections were held,

3480-888: The Minister of the Overseas , Jean Letourneau , who promptly rejected it. Subsequently, Sihanouk traveled to Canada and the United States, where he gave radio interviews to present his case. He took advantage of the prevailing anti-communist sentiment in those countries, arguing that Cambodia faced a Communist threat similar to that of the Viet Minh in Vietnam, and that the solution was to grant full independence to Cambodia. Sihanouk returned to Cambodia in June 1953, taking up residence in Siem Reap . He organised public rallies calling for Cambodians to fight for independence, and formed

3596-534: The Tropical monsoon (Am) climate zone . The city has two seasons: a wet season and a dry season . The maximum mean is about 30 °C (86 °F) ; the minimum mean, about 24 °C (75 °F). Maximum temperatures higher than 32 °C (90 °F), however, are common and, just before the start of the rainy season, they may rise to more than 38 °C (100 °F). Minimum night temperatures sporadically fall below 20 °C (68 °F). in January,

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3712-719: The Vietnam War . In June 1969, he extended diplomatic recognition to the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam (PRGSV), hoping that he could get the Viet Cong troops under its charge to leave Cambodia should they win the war. At the same time, he also openly admitted the presence of Viet Cong troops in Cambodia for the first time, prompting the US to restore formal diplomatic relations with Cambodia three months later. As

3828-448: The general elections that year, and he became prime minister of Cambodia . He governed the country under one-party rule and suppressed political dissent. After his father died in 1960, Sihanouk assumed a new position as Chief of State of Cambodia . Officially neutral in foreign relations, Sihanouk was closer to the communist bloc in practice. The 1970 Cambodian coup d'état ousted him, and he fled to China and North Korea, forming

3944-559: The national assembly attacked the government led by prime minister Penn Nouth over its failure to resolve deepening financial and corruption problems plaguing the country. The dissenting legislators, led by Yem Sambaur , who had defected from the Democratic Party in November 1948, deposed Penn Nouth. Yem Sambaur replaced him, but his appointment did not sit well with the Democrats, who in turn pressured Sihanouk to dissolve

4060-440: The 'juice or sacrifice of the moon-god', but evolved into Pali 'moon', 'moonlike' 'name of Shiva'. The word kampong or kompong is of Malay origin and means 'village' or 'hamlet'. Its meaning underwent extension towards 'pier' or river 'landing bridge'. Before the ports' and city's foundation works of 1955, the port of Kompong Som must have been only of regional significance due to the absence of navigable waterways that connect

4176-520: The 18th and 19th century Cambodian Royal Chronicles , briefly mentions the region as the country was split into three parts during a nine-year civil war from 1476 to 1485: "In 1479, Dhammaraja took on the throne at Chatomuk (Phnom Penh) and controlled the provinces of Samraong Tong, Thbong, Kompong Saom, Kampot up to the Bassak, Preah Trapeang, Kramuon Sah, Koh Slaket and Peam" (mouth of the Mekong). From

4292-474: The Autonomous Port. Transport business operators maintain booking offices in the urban centers. Many companies compete with its buses' daily scheduled services. Buses operate from the early morning until the afternoon plus a daily night-bus/sleeper. Privately operated taxi stands for long-distance transportation are found at the central bus station, in the commercial urban center and the tourist center in

4408-604: The Bay of Cambodia as one of its members at its 7th General Assembly. By 2019, Chinese investment had transformed the city, so that more than 90% of businesses were owned by Chinese nationals. Over 100 casinos were planned to be built in Sihanoukville in an effort to transform it into a gambling hub, which coincided with an increase in crime. In the 2020s, Sihanoukville emerged as a major hub for online scam operations associated with Chinese criminal gangs. Sihanoukville town

4524-647: The CGDK. In 1990, the Supreme National Council of Cambodia was formed as a transitional body to oversee Cambodia's sovereign matters, with Sihanouk as its president. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords were signed, and the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) was established the following year. The UNTAC organized the general elections in 1993, and a coalition government, jointly led by his son Norodom Ranariddh and Hun Sen ,

4640-614: The Cambodian economy was stagnating due to systemic corruption, Sihanouk opened two casinos – in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville – in January 1969. While the casinos satisfied his aim of generating state revenues of up to 700 million riels in that year, it also caused a sharp increase in the number of bankruptcies and suicides. In August 1969 Lon Nol was reappointed as Prime Minister, with Sisowath Sirik Matak as his deputy. Two months later, Lon Nol left Cambodia to seek medical treatment, leaving Sirik Matak to run

4756-480: The Cambodians traverses its entire length and even affords communication into the heart of Siam". Under French rule , Vietnam, Laos , and Cambodia became a single administrative and economic unit. The coastal region Circonscription Résidentielle with Kampot as its capital contained the arrondissements of Kampot, Kompong Som, Trang, and Kong-Pisey. The establishment of another international trading center near

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4872-703: The Chinese embassy from disseminating Communist propaganda. In response, Sihanouk closed the Cambodia–Chinese Friendship Association in September 1967. When the Chinese government protested, Sihanouk threatened to close the Chinese embassy in Cambodia. Zhou stepped in to placate Sihanouk, and compromised by instructing its embassy to send its publications to Cambodia's information ministry for vetting prior to distribution. As relations with China worsened, Sihanouk pursued rapprochement with

4988-535: The Chinese has led to ethnic conflicts, with the government supporting the Chinese investors. The Sihanoukville Autonomous Port has an independent administration. In combination with the related logistics and transport sector, it is the city's economic backbone. At present, the total operational land area of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is around 124.76 ha. The Old Jetty was constructed in 1956 and became operational in 1960. The jetty

5104-528: The Council for the Development of Cambodia totaled around US$ 500 million in 2011. Chinese investments have since modified the city's character, partly destroying its Cambodian aesthetics and culture. The Diplomat reported that "unchecked development by Chinese investors has come at a cost, freezing out locals and changing the city’s character." Evictions of native Cambodians due to economic investments by

5220-522: The French government for more autonomy for Cambodia. The modus vivendi was replaced by a new Franco-Khmer treaty, which recognised Cambodia as "independent" within the French Union. In practice, the treaty granted only limited self-rule to Cambodia. While Cambodia was given free rein in managing its foreign ministry and, to a lesser extent, its defence, most of the other ministries remained under French control. Meanwhile, dissenting legislators from

5336-486: The Lon Nol regime. In Phnom Penh, a military trial convened on 2 July 1970, whereby Sihanouk was charged with treason and corruption in his capacity as Head of State. After a three-day trial, the judges ruled Sihanouk guilty of both charges and sentenced to him death in absentia on 5 July 1970. Banteay Meas District Banteay Meas District ( Khmer : ស្រុកបន្ទាយមាស pronounced [srok ɓɑːn.tiəj.miəh] )

5452-553: The National Assembly to answer corruption charges. On that night after the hearing, Mannorine ordered troops under his command to arrest Lon Nol and Sirik Matak, but ended up getting arrested by Lon Nol's troops instead. On 18 March 1970 the National Assembly voted to depose Sihanouk, allowing Lon Nol to assume emergency powers . On that day, Sihanouk was in Moscow meeting Soviet prime minister Alexei Kosygin , who broke

5568-428: The Sangkum received 83 percent of all valid votes. They took up all seats in the National Assembly, replacing the Democrats, which had until then been the majority party. The following month, Sihanouk was appointed as prime minister. Once in office, Sihanouk introduced several constitutional changes, including extending suffrage to women, adopting Khmer as the sole official language of the country and making Cambodia

5684-417: The Sangkum should be seen as a political "organisation", and explained that he could accommodate people with differing political orientations on the sole condition that they pledged fealty to the monarchy. The creation of the Sangkum was seen as a move to dissolve the political parties. Sangkum was based on four small, monarchist, rightist parties, including the 'Victorious North-East' party of Dap Chhuon ,

5800-564: The South. The city does not have any form of public transportation. Local administration does issue transport licenses for any individual of the informal urban transportation system of motor-taxis ( moto-dups ) and tuk-tuks . The system is not administered by authorities, as anybody can become a motor-taxi, or tuk-tuk driver. The overwhelming majority of drivers do not have knowledge of street names and/or numbers. Sihanouk International Airport ( International Air Transport Association code KOS)

5916-437: The US chargé d'affaires, Thomas Gardiner Corcoran , that parliamentary democracy was unsuitable for Cambodia. In January 1953, Sihanouk re-appointed Penn Nouth as prime minister before leaving for France. Once there, Sihanouk wrote to French President Vincent Auriol requesting that he grant Cambodia full independence, citing widespread anti-French sentiment among the Cambodian populace. Auriol deferred Sihanouk's request to

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6032-524: The US government protested Sihanouk's celebrations, he responded by recalling the Cambodian ambassador to the US, Nong Kimny. In early 1964, Sihanouk signed a secret agreement with North Vietnam and the Viet Cong , allowing Chinese military aid meant for them to be delivered through Sihanoukville's port . In turn, the Cambodian army would be paid for delivering food supplies to the Viet Cong, and at

6148-693: The US in May 1965. As a result of this secret agreement, Communist countries, including China, the Soviet Union , and Czechoslovakia , provided military aid to Cambodia. In September 1966, general elections were held, and Sangkum legislators with conservative and right-wing sympathies dominated the national assembly. In turn, they nominated Lon Nol , a military general who shared their political sympathies, as prime minister. However, their choice did not sit well with Sihanouk. To counterbalance conservative and right-wing influence, in October 1966 Sihanouk set up

6264-531: The US to stop supporting the Khmer Serei , which he believed they had been secretly doing through the CIA. He threatened to reject all economic aid from the US if they failed to respond to his demands, a threat he later carried out on 19 November 1963. At the same time, Sihanouk also nationalised the country's entrepot trade, banking sector, and distillery industries. To oversee policy and regulatory matters on

6380-791: The US was attempting to undermine his government and that it was lending covert support to the Democratic party, now without parliamentary representation, for that purpose. Sihanouk developed a good impression of China, whose premier, Zhou Enlai , gave him a warm reception on his first visit there in February 1956. They signed a friendship treaty in which China promised US$ 40   million in economic aid to Cambodia. When Sihanouk returned from China, Sarit Thanarat and Ngo Dinh Diem , leaders of Thailand and South Vietnam , respectively, both with pro-American sympathies, started to accuse him of pro-Communist sympathies. South Vietnam briefly imposed

6496-588: The US, hinted at the presence of Viet Cong troops in Cambodia, and suggested he would turn a blind eye should US forces enter Cambodia to attack Viet Cong troops retreating into Cambodia from South Vietnam—a practice known as " hot pursuit "—provided that Cambodians were unharmed. Silhanouk told Bowles that he disliked the Vietnamese as a people, saying he had no love for any Vietnamese, red, blue, North or South". Kenton Clymer notes that this statement "cannot reasonably be construed to mean that Sihanouk approved of

6612-605: The US. The following January, when he was in the Philippines on a state visit, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives attempted to sway him into placing Cambodia under Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) protection. US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles went to great efforts to convince Sihanouk, however he refused because "I considered SEATO an aggressive military alliance directed against neighbors whose ideology I did not share but with whom Cambodia had no quarrel". Subsequently, Sihanouk began to suspect that

6728-455: The US. He learned that Kennedy's widow, Jacqueline Kennedy , had expressed a desire to see Angkor Wat . Seeing this as an opportunity to restore relations with the US, Sihanouk invited her to visit Cambodia and personally hosted her visit in October 1967. Jacqueline Kennedy's visit paved the way for Sihanouk to meet with Chester Bowles , the US ambassador to India. To Bowles, Sihanouk expressed his willingness to restore bilateral relations with

6844-472: The United States. The port was the last place to be evacuated by the US Army, only days before Khmer Rouge guerrillas took control of the government in April 1975. The events surrounding the taking of the US container ship SS Mayaguez and its crew on 12 May by the Khmer Rouge and the subsequent rescue operation by US Marines played out on the waters of Koh Tang off the coast of Sihanoukville. During

6960-544: The administration of Sihanoukville's Mittakpheap District . The majority is either in the process of or has been assigned for extensive tourism. Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem in particular have so far undergone years of uncoordinated development. Koh Rong has been declared a stop on the Banana Pancake Trail . The urban area suffers from polluted water supplies. Waste management policies and practices are deficient or lacking altogether. Sihanoukville lies in

7076-425: The army to capture Chhuon, who was summarily executed as soon as he was captured, effectively ending the coup attempt. Sihanouk then accused South Vietnam and the United States of orchestrating the coup attempt. Six months later, on 31 August 1959, a small packaged lacquer gift fitted with a parcel bomb was delivered to the royal palace. Norodom Vakrivan , the chief of protocol, was killed instantly when he opened

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7192-601: The basis of an approach..." Palmerston concluded: "The trade at Kampot - one of the few remaining ports, could never be considerable, in consequence of the main entrance to the country, the Mekong, with all its feeders flowing into the Sea through the territory of Cochin China The country, too, had been devastated by recent Siam - Vietnam wars. Thus, without the aid of Great Britain, Kampot or any other port in Cambodia, can never become

7308-443: The basis of universal male suffrage as well as press freedom . The first constitution was signed into effect by Sihanouk in May 1947. Around this time, Sihanouk made two trips to Saumur , France, where he attended military training at the Armoured Cavalry Branch Training School in 1946, and again in 1948. He was made a reserve captain in the French army. In early 1949, Sihanouk traveled to Paris with his parents to negotiate with

7424-454: The city are fisheries, aqua-culture, and frozen shrimp processing, the garment industry, food production, and processing, the constantly growing tourism industry with a noticeably developed service branch and the associated real estate market. In 2023, it was reported that Sihanoukville had become a major centre for fraud factories , where thousands of human trafficking victims forced to work as " pig butchering " scammers after COVID-19 led to

7540-418: The closure of many of the city's casinos. The Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) is an overseas economic and trade cooperation zone, which was designed to promote favorable market conditions. It began with a focus on manufacturing consumer goods with the goal of transitioning to producing machinery, photovoltaic materials, and chemicals. The SSEZ received support from China's Ministry of Commerce and

7656-413: The coldest month. May is the warmest month – although strongly influenced by the beginning of the wet season, as the area constitutes the easternmost fringe of the south-west monsoon . Tropical cyclones only rarely cause damage in Cambodia. The total annual rainfall averages around 2,200 millimeters (86.6 inches). The maximal amounts fall in July, August, and September. Relative humidity is high throughout

7772-451: The completion of National Highway 48 in 2007. Koh Rong Island and Koh Rong Sanloem Island have daily ferry services. Marina Oceania, the first marina in Cambodia operational and fully equipped since 2013 for yachts and boats up to 25 metres (82 feet) with 4-to-5-metre-deep (13-to-16- foot ) berths for 20 boats. It is at the local port's pier, near Koh Preab Island. (coordinates: 10°39'59"N / 103°30'41"E). The railway network of Cambodia

7888-414: The completion of certain elements of the infrastructure, the investor announced alterations of the original blueprints, as "Reapplying for permission will happen in 2014..." according to the Council of the Development of Cambodia . On 26 May 2011, the Preah Sihanouk area joined the Paris-based club, Les Plus Belles Baies Du Monde ('the most beautiful bays in the world'). The organization officially accepted

8004-433: The container terminal, 400 m (1,312 ft) long by −10.5 m (−34 ft) depth and a 6.5 ha (16 acres) container yard was completed in March 2007. The primary destinations of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port are: Singapore , Hong Kong , Bangkok , Ho Chi Minh City , Shanghai , Laem Chabang , Yantian and Kaohsiung . It has a frequency of scheduled services of 38 per week. Cambodia's official driving side

8120-649: The country to independence, although his reputation was damaged by his association with the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. Norodom Sihanouk was the only child born of the union between Norodom Suramarit and Sisowath Kossamak . His parents, who heeded the Royal Court Astrologer's advice that he risked dying at a young age if he was raised under parental care, placed him under the care of Kossamak's grandmother, Pat. When Pat died, Kossamak brought Sihanouk to live with his paternal grandfather, Norodom Sutharot. Sutharot delegated parenting responsibilities to his daughter, Norodom Ket Kanyamom. Sihanouk received his primary education at

8236-411: The country's entrepot trade, he set up the National Export-Import Corporation and Statutory Board, better known as "SONEXIM". When Sarit, Diem, and US president John F. Kennedy died in November and December 1963, Sihanouk rejoiced over their deaths, as he accused them of attempting to destabilise Cambodia. He organised concerts and granted civil servants extra leave time to celebrate the occasion. When

8352-619: The country. Non Suon's criticisms gave Sihanouk the impetus to arrest Pracheachon leaders, and, according to him, he had discovered plans by their party to monitor local political developments on behalf of foreign powers. That same year Sihanouk attended the 1st Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement , making Cambodia one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement . In May 1962 Tou Samouth , Pracheachon's secretary-general, disappeared, and its ideological ally,

8468-471: The development and recovery of the country. With the further opening of new markets in 1999, the city regained its role in the economic growth of Cambodia. In 1993, Ream National Park was established per royal decree of former King Sihanouk. The Sihanoukville Municipality was elevated to a regular province on 22 December 2008 after King Norodom Sihamoni signed a royal decree converting the municipalities of Kep , Pailin , and Sihanoukville into provinces. In

8584-491: The early 21st century, Sihanoukville grew to become a center of trade, commerce, transport, and process manufacturing . Sihanoukville's many beaches and nearby islands make it Cambodia's premier seaside resort . In 2006, the Koh Puos (Cambodia) Investment Group submitted an application, planning to invest US$ 276 million in converting the 116-hectare Koh Puos , Snake Island, into a luxury residential and resort complex. After

8700-593: The east and the Indian Ocean to the west. Established after the period of the French Protectorate , bourgeois colonial style quarters such as ones seen in Kampot , Siem Reap , or Phnom Penh do not exist. Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann designed objects, and public buildings with a distinct function, some still operational. This brief era of New Khmer Architecture ended in 1970. In 1959,

8816-658: The end of the 17th century, Cambodia lost control of the Mekong River route as Vietnamese power expanded into the lower Mekong. During the Nguyen-Siamese War (1717–1718) a Siamese fleet burned the port of Kompong Som in 1717 but was defeated by the Vietnamese at Banteay Meas / Ha Tien . A Cambodian king of the late-18th century, Outey-Reachea III allied with a Chinese pirate , Mac-Thien-Tu, who had established an autonomous polity based in Ha Tien and controlled

8932-448: The entire year; usually exceeding 90 percent. During the dry season daytime humidity rates average around 50 percent or slightly lower, climbing to about 90 percent during the rainy season. The wet season runs from April to November, and the dry season from December to March. However, as is common in places with this climate type, the dry season still sees some rainfall. Sihanoukville was established as an international marine gateway and as

9048-523: The existing city of Saigon was not considered necessary. Focus remained the Mekong and the idea to establish an alternative route to Chinese and Thai markets along an uninterrupted navigable waterway to the Mekong Delta . An insurrection that took place from 1885 to 1887 further discouraged French ambition. It started in Kampot and quickly spread to Veal Rinh, Kampong Seila, and Kompong Som, where

9164-519: The father of the (modern) nation. The name Sihanouk is derived from Sanskrit through two Pali words: siha ('lion'), and hanu ('jaws'). The alternative name, Kompong Saom (also romanized as Kompong Som and Kampong Som ), ( Khmer : កំពង់សោម ) means 'Port of the Moon' or 'Shiva's Port'. Saom is derived from the Sanskrit word saumya , the original ( Rig Vedic ) meaning of which was Soma ,

9280-658: The feet of the queen mother and begged her forgiveness for deposing her son. Khmer Rouge soldiers broadcast Sihanouk's message in the Cambodian countryside, which roused demonstrations rooting for his cause that were brutally suppressed by Lon Nol's troops. Sometime later, on 5 May 1970, Sihanouk announced the formation of a government-in-exile known as the Royal Government of the National Union of Kampuchea ( GRUNK ), leading Communist countries including China, North Vietnam, and North Korea to break relations with

9396-803: The first LDC to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2004, trade has steadily increased, and the US has been Cambodia's largest trading partner. Compared to US$ 2.3 billion of exports to the US and US$ 153 million of exports to Cambodia in 2010, from January to October 2011, Cambodia's exports to the U.S. were US$ 2.29 billion and US exports to Cambodia were US$ 152.6 million. An industrial zone has been established that includes petrochemical production and food processing based on local fisheries and other elements. Foreign investment in Cambodia has increased significantly since 2004 led by Asian investors from countries such as Malaysia, China, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Approved investment proposals by

9512-507: The first urban plan for the city was completed for a population of 55,000 residents; it included cycle paths and green spaces. The plan also marked out the zoning for the port, the railway network, the town center with municipal offices, business and residential housing, and finally a tourist zone to the south along the beaches. A feasibility study by the United States Operations Mission (USOM) looked at drawing on

9628-477: The formation of his resistance movement, the National United Front of Kampuchea (FUNK). He encouraged the Cambodian populace to join him and fight against Lon Nol's government. Sihanouk was revered by the Khmer peasantry as a god-like figure , and his endorsement of the Khmer Rouge had immediate effects. The royal family was so revered that Lon Nol after the coup went to the royal palace, knelt at

9744-508: The government. Between October and December 1969, Sirik Matak instituted several policy changes that ran contrary to Sihanouk's wishes, such as allowing private banks to re-open in the country and devaluing the riel. He also encouraged ambassadors to write to Lon Nol directly, instead of going through Sihanouk, angering the latter. In early January 1970, Sihanouk left Cambodia for medical treatment in France. Shortly after he left, Sirik Matak took

9860-452: The idea of orchestrating a coup to overthrow Sihanouk. Nhu contacted Dap Chhuon , Sihanouk's Interior Minister , who was known for his pro-American sympathies, to prepare for the coup against his boss. Chhuon received covert financial and military assistance from Thailand, South Vietnam, and the CIA. In January 1959 Sihanouk learned of the coup plans through intermediaries who were in contact with Chhuon. The following month, Sihanouk sent

9976-535: The insurgents were led by a Chinese pirate named Quan-Khiem. He managed to control the northern part of Preah Sihanouk for some time until he—an old man—was arrested by the local governor. One example of infrastructural improvements of this period was the construction of Route Coloniale No. 17, later renamed National Road No.3 and the national railway system , although work on the "Southern Line", from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, only began in 1960. The city's and province's alternative name, Kampong som (Kampong Som),

10092-584: The intensive, ongoing B-52 bombing raids" the US launched in eastern Cambodia beginning in March 1969 as part of Operation Menu , adding: "In any event, no one asked him. ... Sihanouk was never asked to approve the B-52 bombings, and he never gave his approval." The bombing forced the Viet Cong to flee from their jungle sanctuaries and seek refuge in populated towns and villages. As a result, Sihanouk became concerned that Cambodia might get drawn into fighting in

10208-531: The last few years. Tourists on rental bikes and common people are often stopped and forced to pay, often based on mere assumptions and unsupported claims. Drivers of vehicles with perceived social status remain generally unmolested. Consequently, the deterrent effect of these activities is very low. In urban and residential areas, an overabundance of motorbikes exists due to the absence of any form of public transportation and taxi cars. Drivers of motorbikes often do not wear helmets, drive indiscriminately on any side of

10324-515: The later part of the month, after receiving news that the Chinese embassy in Cambodia had published and distributed Communist propaganda to the Cambodian populace praising the Cultural Revolution , Sihanouk accused China of supporting local Chinese Cambodians in engaging in "contraband" and "subversive" activities. In August 1967, Sihanouk sent to China his Foreign Minister, Norodom Phurissara , who unsuccessfully urged Zhou to stop

10440-514: The maritime network in the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand. Ha Tien was at a point where a river linking to the Bassac River flows into the Gulf of Thailand. Landlocked Cambodia tried to keep its access to maritime trade through Ha Tien. In 1757, Ha Tien acquired the ports of Kampot and Kompong Som as a reward for Mac's military support to the King of Cambodia. Until its destruction in 1771

10556-418: The monarchy. The debate led to the effective demise of the Democratic party, as its leaders were subsequently beaten up by government soldiers, with Sihanouk's tacit approval. With the Democrats vanquished, Sihanouk focused on preparing for general elections , slated to be held in March 1958. He drafted left-wing politicians, including Hou Yuon , Hu Nim and Chau Seng , to stand as Sangkum candidates, with

10672-471: The national assembly and hold elections. Sihanouk, who by now had tired of the political squabbling, dissolved the assembly in September 1949, but opted to rule by decree for the next two years before general elections were held, which the Democrats won. In October 1951, Thanh returned to Cambodia and was received by 100,000 supporters, a spectacle which Sihanouk saw as an affront to his regal authority. Thanh disappeared six months later, presumably to join

10788-987: The news as he was being driven to the Moscow airport . From Moscow, Sihanouk flew to Beijing, where he was received by Zhou Enlai . Zhou arranged for the North Vietnamese Prime Minister, Pham Van Dong to fly to Beijing from Hanoi and meet with Sihanouk. Zhou greeted Sihanouk very warmly, telling him that China still recognized him as the legitimate leader of Cambodia and would be pressuring North Korea, along with several Middle Eastern and African nations, not to recognize Lon Nol's government, saying that once China issued its declaration of support, "the Soviet Union will be embarrassed and will have to reconsider". Both Zhou and Dong encouraged Sihanouk to rebel against Lon Nol and promised him military and financial support. On 23 March 1970, Sihanouk announced

10904-625: The nominal French colonial administration . Under pressure from the Japanese, Sihanouk proclaimed Cambodia's independence and assumed the position of prime minister while serving as king at the same time. As prime minister, Sihanouk revoked a decree issued by the last resident superior of Cambodia, Georges Gautier, to romanise the Khmer alphabet . Following the Surrender of Japan in August 1945, nationalist forces loyal to Son Ngoc Thanh launched

11020-434: The only international seaport of Cambodia. "The traveling time between Udong and Kampot was eight days by oxcart and four days by elephants." French Résident Adhemard Leclère wrote: "...Until 1840s, the Vietnamese governed Kampot and Péam [Mekong Delta], but Kompong Som belonged to Cambodia. The Vietnamese constructed a road from Ha Tien to Svai village, on the border with Kompong-Som, via Kampot." The British Empire followed

11136-657: The opportunity to close down the casinos. In January 1970, Sihanouk left Cambodia for a two-month holiday in France, spending his time at a luxury resort in the French Riviera . On 11 March 1970, a large protest took place outside the North Vietnamese and Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam embassies, as protesters demanded Viet Cong troops withdraw from Cambodia. The protests turned chaotic, as protesters looted both embassies and set them on fire, alarming Sihanouk. Sihanouk, who

11252-498: The other. Between 1955 and 1960, Sihanouk resigned and retook the post of prime minister several times, citing fatigue caused by overwork. The National Assembly nominated experienced politicians such as Sim Var and San Yun to become prime minister whenever Sihanouk took leave, but they similarly relinquished their posts each time, several months into their term, as cabinet ministers repeatedly disagreed over public policy matters. In May 1955, Sihanouk had accepted military aid from

11368-554: The package. Sihanouk's parents, Suramarit and Kossamak, were sitting in another room not far from Vakrivan. An investigation traced the origin of the parcel bomb to an American military base in Saigon. While Sihanouk publicly accused Ngo Dinh Nhu of masterminding the bomb attack, he secretly suspected that the US was also involved. The incident deepened his distrust of the US. Suramarit, Sihanouk's father, died on 3 April 1960 after several months of poor health that Sihanouk blamed upon

11484-449: The port developed into an independent duty-free entrepôt linked with several Chinese trading networks. Alexander Hamilton , who traveled to the Gulf of Thailand in 1720, wrote that "Kompong Som and Banteay Meas (later Ha Tien) belonged to Cambodia, as Cochin-China was divided from Cambodia by a river (Bassac River) of three leagues broad." and "King Ang Duong constructed a road from his capital of Oudong to Kampot ". Kampot remained

11600-609: The port with the kingdom's settlement centers. During the many centuries of pre-Angkorian and Angkorian history – from Funan to Chenla and during the Khmer Empire , regional trade was centered at O Keo (Vietnamese: Óc Eo ) in the Mekong Delta , now the province of Rạch Giá in Vietnam . The township of Prei Nokor ( Saigon ) was a commercial center of the Khmer Empire. The Chronicle of Samtec Cauva Vamn Juon , one of

11716-430: The rebellion. When Sihanouk threatened to charge Khieu Samphan and Hou Yuon before a military tribunal, they fled into the jungle to join the Khmer Rouge , leaving Hu Nim behind. Lon Nol resigned as prime minister in early May 1967, and Sihanouk appointed Son Sann in his place. At the same time, Sihanouk replaced conservative-leaning ministers appointed by Lon Nol with technocrats and left-leaning politicians. In

11832-448: The results showed 99.8   percent approval, Australian historian Milton Osborne noted that open balloting was carried out and voters were cowed into casting an approval vote under police surveillance. On 2 March 1955, Sihanouk suddenly abdicated the throne and was in turn succeeded by his father, Norodom Suramarit . His abdication surprised everyone, including his own parents. In his abdication speech, Sihanouk explained that he

11948-493: The same time skim off 10   percent of all military hardware supplies. In addition, he also allowed the Viet Cong to build a trail through eastern Cambodia, so that their troops could receive war supplies from North Vietnam. The trail later became known as the Sihanouk Trail . When the US learned of Viet Cong presence in eastern Cambodia, they started a bombing campaign, spurring Sihanouk to sever diplomatic ties with

12064-419: The shock that his father had received from the parcel bomb attack. The following day, the Cambodian Crown Council met to choose Monireth as regent. Over the next two months, Sihanouk introduced constitutional amendments to create the new post of Head of State of Cambodia, which provided ceremonial powers equivalent to that of the king. A referendum held on 5 June 1960 approved Sihanouk's proposals, and Sihanouk

12180-410: The station near the Autonomous Port used to manage passenger train transportation to Phnom Penh via Kampot Norodom Sihanouk Sangkum era Later political career Norodom Sihanouk ( / ˈ s iː h ə n ʊ k / ; 31 October 1922 – 15 October 2012) was a member of the Cambodian royal house who led the country as King and Prime Minister . In Cambodia , he

12296-399: The street and it is common to see motorbikes with more than two passengers or vehicles driven by children. Traffic lights are often ignored. In 2008, the government ordered the countrywide enforcement of the use of helmets, but the order was not thoroughly enforced. The central long-distance bus station for all transport business operators is on National Highway 4 in the city's north-east near

12412-471: The two days of action, the US commenced air strikes on targets on the mainland of Sihanoukville, including the port, the Ream Naval Base , an airfield, the railroad yard, and the petroleum refinery in addition to strikes and naval gunfire on several islands. After the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, and the subsequent opening of the economy, the port of Sihanoukville resumed its importance in

12528-417: Was abdicating in order to extricate himself from the "intrigues" of palace life and allow easier access to common folk as an "ordinary citizen". According to Osborne, Sihanouk's abdication earned him the freedom to pursue politics while continuing to enjoy the deference that he had received from his subjects when he was king. He also feared being cast aside by the government after discovering that his popularity

12644-479: Was adopted from the local indigenous community. After the dissolution of French Indochina in 1954, the steadily tightening control of the Mekong Delta by Vietnam required a solution to gain unrestricted access to the seas. Plans were made to construct an entirely new deep-water port. Kompong Saom (Kampong Som) was selected for water depth and ease of access. In August 1955, a French/Cambodian construction team cut

12760-523: Was formally appointed Head of State on 14 June 1960. As the head of state, Sihanouk took over various ceremonial responsibilities of the king, such as holding public audiences and leading the Royal Ploughing Ceremony . At the same time, he continued to play an active role in politics as Sangkum's leader. In 1961, Pracheachon's spokesperson, Non Suon, criticized Sihanouk for failing to tackle inflation, unemployment, and corruption in

12876-777: Was formerly called Kang Keng Airport (ព្រលានយន្តហោះ កង កេង), named after the Minister of Health of the Khmer Republican regime during the 1970s. The airport is in Ream Commune in central Sihanoukville Province. It lies close to National Highway 4, only around 500 metres (1,600 feet) from Ream beach atop a former mangrove lagoon , just about 18 kilometres (11 miles) from Sihanoukville City. As of July 2019, there were close to 200 flights from China to Sihanoukville every week. The last daily national official Sihanoukville city–Krong Koh Kong marine ferry ceased its operation with

12992-461: Was in Paris at the time, considered both returning to quell the protests and visiting Moscow, Beijing, and Hanoi . He opted for the latter, thinking that he could persuade its leaders to recall Viet Cong troops to their jungle sanctuaries, where they had originally established themselves between 1964 and 1969. Five days later, Oum Mannorine, the half-brother of Sihanouk's wife Monique, was summoned to

13108-558: Was manufactured by his own officials. In April 1955, before leaving for a summit with Asian and African states in Bandung , Indonesia, Sihanouk announced the formation of his own political party, the Popular Socialist Community (Sangkum), and expressed interest in participating in the general elections slated to be held in September 1955. While the Sangkum was, in effect, a political party, Sihanouk argued that

13224-480: Was re-constructed for freight transport during the last years by Toll Holdings , which has obtained a building and maintenance concession from the Royal Cambodian Railway. The "Southern line", constructed from 1960 to 1969 with a length of 264 km (164 mi), connects Sihanoukville Port Special Economic Zone with the capital Phnom Penh . Currently, a daily passenger train service runs from

13340-576: Was subsequently formed. Sihanouk was reinstated as Cambodia's king. He abdicated again in 2004, and the Royal Council of the Throne chose his son Sihamoni as his successor. Sihanouk died in Beijing in 2012. Between 1941 and 2006, Sihanouk produced and directed 50 films, some of which he acted in. The films, later described as being of low quality, often featured nationalistic elements, as did

13456-490: Was the only child of Prince Norodom Suramarit and Princess Sisowath Kossamak , daughter of King Sisowath Monivong . When his grandfather Monivong died in 1941, Sihanouk became king amidst French colonial rule. After the Japanese occupation of Cambodia during World War II , he secured Cambodian independence from France in 1953. He abdicated in 1955 and was succeeded by his father, Suramarit, so as to directly participate in politics. Sihanouk's political organization Sangkum won

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