| A view from the pristine beaches on Koh Rong island, off Sihanoukville. The island is one of 28 in Cambodia earmarked for development. Photograph: Will Baxter/Phnom Penh Post |
Friday, 17 August 2012
May Titthara and David Boyle
The Phnom Penh Post
Some of the most audacious Cambodian island developments have been connected to shady individuals, including convicted pedophile Alexander Trofimov, who allegedly drove to his resort on Koh Pos from prison regularly before he was pardoned by the king last year.
Adhoc’s list of soon-to-be concessionaires includes a veritable who’s who of controversial development including LYP Group (Koh Kong Knong), TTY Corporation Co, Ltd (Koh Koan) and Try Pheap Company (Koh Tonsay), all firms that have been involved in major land disputes.
More than 180,000 hectares on 28 of
Cambodia’s 64 islands were reclassified as state private property for 31
companies seeking land concessions between 2008 and 2010,
government sub-decrees reveal.
The reclassification
sub-decrees, compiled by investigators at the rights group Adhoc, pave the way for firms to secure 99-year leases to
develop hotels, resorts and casinos, mostly on islands dotted
across the coasts of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong province.
They include already popular
destinations off Preah Sihanouk and Kep province such as Koh Tonsay
(Rabbit Island), Koh Russey (Bamboo Island), Koh Rong, Koh Rong Somleom
and Koh Takhieo, as well as far more obscure enclaves.
Experts in the investment and
conservation communities have told the Post that on top of these land
reclassifications, many of which have since gained final approval, plots
have been earmarked for development by private firms on almost every
single island in the Kingdom.
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