In this relative isolation, illegal logging, wild animal smuggling, banditry, gambling, prostitution, and a soaring rate of HIV AIDS infection[4] have given Koh Kong its frontier town reputation.

However, with the building of the Thai-Cambodian Koh Kong Bridge across the river in 2002, and the upgrading of the road to the national highway, industry and investment have increased and the town is gradually becoming a modest tourist destination.

From Bangkok it is 450 kilometres (280 mi) by road to Hat Lek in Khlong Yai District in Thailand and a short trip from there to the Cham Yeam international border crossing.

[5] Travelling from the capital Phnom Penh, it is 133 kilometres (83 mi) west along National Highway 4 to the town of Sre Ambel.

From Sre Ambel a narrow road winds 138 kilometres (86 mi) through the lower Cardamom Mountains before reaching Koh Kong.

In November of that year, one of the last recorded deleterious incidents before the surrender of the remaining Khmer Rouge forces to the government occurred near the international border crossing outside of Koh Kong city.

The Trat police chief later stated that the attack was prompted by the casino failing to make a protection payment to the rebel group.

[10] The town's relatively remote location, close to the Cardamoms and the Thai border, has made it the centre of an active wildlife smuggling trade.

[14] Koh Kong township and the area nearby was also the centre of widespread illegal logging of broad leaf deciduous forests in the Cardamoms.

Orographic influences from the Cardamom Mountains produce an annual rainfall about three times that of Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.