Plans have been unveiled to upgrade the beach into a prime tourist destination to attract more local and international visitors, but analysts are calling for full environmental impact studies to be carried out before construction.
The National Committee for Coastal Management and Development of Cambodia has initiated a project to develop Techo Santepheap Kep Beach (Kep Peace Beach) for the public and tourists in Phum Thmey, Sangkat Prey Thom, Kep. The beach, which spans 2,700 metres in length, is set to undergo significant enhancements.
The project will entail the construction of a reinforced concrete coastal retaining wall along the coast, five coastal lanes and sub-lanes with sidewalks measuring three metres in width, and a lane for the blind situated in the centre along the coast.
Furthermore, two three-metre-wide bicycle lanes will be constructed along the coast, with a 50-metre-wide park and additional sand. Two sightseeing roundabouts are planned for the route, with the statue of Yeay Chumteav Mao to be retained in its current form as General Chea Chey.
The second structure, with a diameter of 99 metres, will be constructed at the end of the road leading to the second beach. This beach is intended to remain a public space for festivals and exhibitions.
The reinforced concrete and rock dam, which will protect the beach and serve as a recreational facility for the public, is 138 metres long and 18 metres in diameter. It will be built at the end of the first roundabout.
Additionally, the project encompasses the construction of a public car park and restroom facility, connected to a cafeteria, situated in close proximity to the roundabout. This will serve as a convenient and accessible point for the public to enjoy the beach. The high-end beach is at least 80 metres wide.
The project also proposes the development of two additional high-end public beach resorts. The first is located in Thmey Village, Sangkat Prey Thom, and the second is to improve Angkol Natural Beach in Angkol Village, Angkol Commune, Damnak District. The two locations will be transformed into tourist attractions, with the addition of large parks, sidewalks, bike paths, and pedestrian lanes.
Prime Minister Hun Manet had already provided the Ministry of Tourism and the governors of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Koh Kong and Kep provinces with a set of guiding principles to enable them to prepare master plans for the development of the four coastal provinces.
At the closing ceremony of the 10th Sea Festival in Kep last year, the Prime Minister outlined the importance of promoting Cambodia's tourism offerings on the international stage to attract international visitors.
"I have tasked the governors and the National Committee for Coastal Management and Development with preparing master plans for the seaside provinces. We have already prepared a master plan to develop Preah Sihanouk and unlock its multi-purpose potential”.
He added that the plans aimed to unlock the potential of each location while preserving its value. “One of the government's main principles is that they must not only provide short-term benefits, but must also be preserved in the long term."
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