Kampong Bay Commune | Kampot Province
Geographical Location:
Kampong Bay is one of the 14 communes that comprise Kampot District in Kampot Province, southern Cambodia. The commune lies southeast of the provincial capital, the city of Kampot, and directly adjacent to the Gulf of Thailand’s coastal plain.
Area:
Officially recorded by the Ministry of Planning as 58 km² (≈ 14,300 acres). The territory is characterized by a mix of low‑lying alluvial plains, shallow mangrove areas along the nearby estuarine channels, and modestly rolling terrain that gives way to secondary forest cover in the northern fringe.
Population:
According to the 2019 Cambodia Commune Census, the commune had a total population of 5,237 inhabitants. The census indicates a gender balance of roughly 2,618 males and 2,619 females, with a median age of 24 years (the national youth bulge is reflected in locally high proportions of residents under 30).
Administrative Structure:
Kampong Bay is subdivided into three villages (phum), which together contain twelve smaller administrative units known as kums. The commune council, elected every five years, oversees public services and coordinates development projects with the District Administration Office.
Economic Activity:
- Agriculture dominates land use; rice paddies account for roughly 45 % of cultivated area. Secondary crops such as corn, cassava, and a modest amount of pepper are also grown.
- Fishery and Aquaculture exploit the surrounding mangrove creeks and tidal channels that feed into the Kampong Bay River. Small‑scale capture fisheries focus on shrimp (Penaeus spp.) and various demersal fish; aquaculture operations cultivate tilapia and catfish in earthen ponds.
- Commercial Services: The central village contains a market hall that serves residents of neighboring communes, providing daily necessities (fresh produce, textiles, household goods). Small retail shops and informal vendors collectively generate an estimated annual turnover of US $750,000, as reported by the provincial Department of Commerce in 2021.
Infrastructure:
- Road Network – An unpaved but motorable secondary road links Kampong Bay to Provincial Route 4 (the main artery connecting Phnom Penh with Sihanoukville). Seasonal weather can affect travel; the commune typically experiences periods of relative isolation during the peak rainy month of September.
- Electricity and Water – The central village is supplied by a semi‑isolated electric substation fed from Kampon’s main grid. Rural electrification reached 84 % of households in 2022, while piped water access remains limited to municipal taps serving about 35 % of dwellings. Most households rely on shallow wells and rainwater collection.
- Education and Health – A public primary school (Grades 1‑6) enrolls roughly 740 pupils; a secondary school offering Grades 7‑9 operates in the central village. Medical needs are met by a health centre that provides basic outpatient services, with referrals for more complex cases to Provincial Hospital in Kampot.
Historical Context:
The Khmer Rouge period (1975–1979) saw extensive depopulation and abandonment of agricultural lands in what is now Kampong Bay. After 1979, repatriation initiatives led by the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) facilitated resettlement and reconstruction; many households returned from camps near Phnom Penh to rebuild homes and cultivate fields.
Ecological Features:
The northern fringe of Kampong Bay includes a protected mangrove stand covering roughly 250 hectares. These mangroves act as natural buffers against storm surges, support biodiversity (including crabs, molluscs, and migratory birds), and provide raw material for traditional basket weaving.
Climate:
The commune experiences a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons: a rainy season from June through October, delivering an average of 2,300 mm of precipitation annually; and a dry, hot season extending from November to May, during which average temperatures fluctuate between 26 °C (early morning) and 34 °C (mid‑afternoon). Humidity consistently exceeds 75 % throughout the year.
Recent Developments:
In 2023, the provincial government launched a pilot agro‑forestry project encouraging farmers to plant fruit trees (longan and mango) on marginal land. The initiative aims to diversify income while combating soil erosion; early results indicate an average yield increase of 18 % among participating households.