note from the editor AsiaLIFE Group
Ellie Dyer Sihanoukville is a town that ignites opinion. There are those who love its long sandy bays and there are also many that dislike its urban sprawl and persistent beach hawkers. But what is certain is that the seaside hub is here to stay, and will play a pivotal role in Cambodia’s burgeoning tourism industry. Thailand is known for its beaches, but in my opinion the bays around Sihanoukville and the outlying Koh Rong archipelago are equally as beautiful. White sands and crystal clear waters fringe tropical islands full of lush forest, whilst the town benefits from gently curving beaches. When I first visited in rainy season 10 years ago, it was a different picture to today’s buzzing community. From my memory, a couple of bar-restaurants dotted the beach, with green fields a few blocks behind. Over the years it’s faced its challenges and at times a poor reputation, but after talking to the business owners of today the town seems to be heading on the right track. In my opinion, what the coastline needs is clever development, and one that considers the environment and the impact of its architectural choices. Growth is no bad thing — it provides jobs for local communities and is a key pillar of the country’s economy — but it is best done in a sympathetic fashion and one that maximises and preserves natural resources for future generations. I think the signs for the next decade are positive. Conservation is on the radar at all levels, from top end resorts to the backpacking and diving communities. But what struck me most during research for this month’s cover feature — besides the staggering explosion of business on Koh Rong — was the sense of community on the coast. The businesspeople who I met clearly loved Sihanoukville, and were doing all they could to improve visitor experience. Let’s hope in another 10 years it has grown up even more. Elsewhere in the magazine, we’re taking a cultural tone. Joanna Wolfarth has talked to three leading artists about their work for the Singapore Biennial, while I’ve been chatting to three authors about how to break into the publishing world. In travel, Joanna Mayhew has explored the deserted beaches of East Timor and I’ve recalled my typhoon experience in Taipei. As ever, we hope you find this issue an interesting read and it goes some way to highlighting the transformation that Sihanoukville and its islands are currently expriencing.
4 asialife Cambodia
Group Editor-in-Chief / Director Cambodia: Mark Bibby Jackson mark@asialife.asia
Group Director Sales & Marketing / Director Vietnam: Jonny Edbrooke jonny@asialife.asia
Managing Editor Cambodia: Ellie Dyer ellie@asialife.asia
Director Thailand: Nattamon Limthanachai (Oh) oh@asialife.asia
Associate Editor: Marissa Carruthers
Art Director Cambodia: Hilary Fastier
Editor-at-Large Cambodia: Mai Lynn Miller Nguyen
Photographers: Charles Fox & Conor Wall
Siem Reap: Joanna Wolfarth
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Sales Director Cambodia: Sorn Chantha chantha@asialife.asia sornchantha@yahoo.com
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On the Cover Photography: Charles Fox Art Direction: Hilary Fastier AsiaLIFE is a registered trademark. No content may be reproduced in any form without prior authorisation of the owners. © 360º Media.
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