Kampot

Kampot is the main city of the province, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. It is the ideal spot to visit the Bokor National Park, relaxing on the Kep Beach or discovering the wonderful Koh Tonsay, also known as the Rabbit Island.

Kampot’s main attraction is its relaxing riverside setting. While there is a sizable town set back from the river, the majority of visitors will spend most of their time enjoying the river and the local countryside. Kampot’s economy is based on Salt and Pepper production, fishing, fruit growing (particularly Durians) and light industry with domestic and foreign tourism becoming significant contributors over the past three years.

The expatriate population in Kampot has also grown dramatically over the past few years and with it the number and range of restaurants, hotels, bars and general services. Peak foreign tourism months are November through to mid April with January being the busiest month. The dense concentration of foreigner oriented tourist businesses is along the riverside promenade, in or around the renovated “Old Market” or are within one or two blocks back from the river in the old quarter. The riverside promenade is now fully paved and extends from the New Bridge at the Northerly end down past the Governors Residence – which now houses the beginnings of the Kampot Museum – to the Aquatic Center at the Southerly end.

The decommissioned old bridge, a mongrel of various styles and temporary parts thrown together after its breaching in the Khmer Rouge days, is now open to motorbikes at both ends but continues to provide a picturesque reference point while strolling along the river bank.

Climatically, Kampot is generally at its hottest in April and at its coolest in December and January. The highest overall rainfall months are September and October however heavy rainfall can occur throughout the rainy season months. Generally the driest months are January through to March.