There's an apparent development pencilled in for the whole coast from koh kong to sihanoukville called the 7 nagas or 7 dragons development. They plan to turn it into a series of luxury upscale resorts like the "world" in Dubai. Allegedly. Will believe when I see it. However, that's a pristine coastline which would be the envy of many neighbours, and they want to wreck it. What was the line from the old Joni Mitchell song... "they've paved paradise, put up a parking lot.."

unfortunately, the cycle goes something like this:
1. Pristine beach, no facilities: tourists 'discover' the place, and start to flock.
2. Pristine beach, minimal facilities: relaxed, tranquil, lots of tourist money coming in.
3. Pristine beach, low-scale developments: tourist money still pouring in at increasing amounts. deveopers rush to get in on the action.
4. Near-pristine coast, mid-level development: market near-saturated, but developers don't know it yet ... real-estate prices still on the up-up-up ...
5. Environmental degradation settling in, over developed coastline, beach much like beaches everywhere else, tourists lose interest, real-estate prices drop ...

pity the developers don't know the line between #4 and #5.

Currently it's not only the coastal development which is changing Cambodia's mainland, islands, and environment drastically. Natural resources exploitation is another threat to the coast. Lately there are many foreign companies interested in sand mining. Not just in freshwater as shown in the Cambodian daily recently but also in the sea.
I would like to make a quick note on the dredging in freshwater which is an illegal activity according to some of the ministries. Still it is possible to sand dredge in the middle of Kampi pool which is the crucial habitat to Irrawaddy dolphin, protected by Cambodian law.

Singapore has been interested in particular sand for over many years to increase their own land size. In the past they collected this sand from countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia however these countries have put a strong foot onto it as it was destroying the marine environment of both countries. Sand dredging is not allowed in these countries anymore. Cambodia could be/is the next target. Besides changing bottom composition of the sea, sand dredging is a potential threat marine life; to coral reefs, bottom dwelling organisms and sea grass (which is a protected species by Cambodian law). If dredging will start and continue without proper environmental assessments all of the above mentioned will be lost which are crucial to maintain a marine ecosystem as well as important to local fishermen to make a living.

Not many people care about the coast of this particular country they live in, I guess - or maybe this topic is just a bit to political although nothing real exciting has been posted yet.
Or maybe just because the beer prices and house rent etc are not increasing way beyond expectations everybody is happy.

I think you may be right Bart.
makes you wonder who frequent the pages on this site... we could make this quite political, but Anthony might have some issues after.!
A little knowledge is a powerful thing.

Just bide your time time and see who are playing in the 'fish pond' called the coast..some interesting stories coming soon I bet...sand dredging being one of them..mangroves another..anymore more...names please..I won't tell if you don't.

Anthony has no problems with this forum being used as a medium for open sensible rational discussions
As long as it doesn't turn into a name calling bitch slapping festival then carry on.