Ream

Ream National Park protects 15,000 hectares of coastal ecosystems in Sihanoukville (Preah Sihanouk) Province, southern Cambodia, on the Gulf of Thailand. Established in 1993, it encompasses mangrove forests, pristine beaches, coral reefs, offshore islands, and adjacent lowland tropical forest. The park is considered one of the most ecologically diverse areas in coastal Cambodia, with marine and terrestrial habitats in close proximity. In recent years, Ream has been at the center of an international controversy involving reported deforestation, land clearing, and the suspected construction of a Chinese military base within the park boundaries.

Ream's diverse habitats support exceptional marine and terrestrial wildlife. The coral reefs around the offshore islands are among Cambodia's richest, with diverse fish communities, sea turtles (hawksbill and green), and reef sharks. Dolphins—particularly Indo-Pacific bottlenose and Irrawaddy dolphins—are seen in the bay. The mangroves support fishing cats, otters, monitor lizards, and many fish species using the roots as nursery habitat. The forest hosts pileated gibbons, macaques, and various small mammals. The park is within the Cardamom Mountains-Kirirom bird area, with hornbills, kingfishers, and herons among the notable species.

The park's mangrove forest is dominated by Rhizophora apiculata, Avicennia alba, and Sonneratia spp. along tidal channels. The mangroves grade into denser coastal forest on higher ground. Coastal sandy beaches support typical strand vegetation. Seagrass beds (Halophila, Cymodocea, Thalassia) occur in sheltered shallow bays and are critical habitat for sea turtles and dugongs. The lowland forest sections of the park include tropical evergreen and mixed deciduous forest with dipterocarps. The isolated offshore islands have distinctive coastal forest communities.

Ream occupies a coastal zone where the Cardamom Mountain basement rocks meet the Gulf of Thailand. The coastline features both sandy beaches and rocky headlands of granitic and volcanic basement rock. The offshore islands are granite outliers of the same basement. The Prek Toeuk Sap River and other estuaries that flow through the park have deposited mangrove-colonized mudflats. The continental shelf is shallow near Ream, with coral reefs developing on rocky substrates. The lowland forest section of the park is underlain by Mesozoic sedimentary rocks.

Ream experiences a tropical monsoon climate typical of the Gulf of Thailand coast. The wet season (May–October) is hot and humid, with heavy southwest monsoon rainfall (2,000–2,500 mm annually) and rough seas that limit marine access. The dry season (November–April) brings the northeast monsoon—clear skies, calm seas, and warm temperatures (25–33°C) that make Ream's beaches and marine areas ideal for visitors. The combination of wet season humidity and dry season beach appeal drives strong seasonal tourism patterns. Tropical cyclones can affect the Gulf of Thailand coast.

The Sihanoukville coast was sparsely inhabited before French colonial development. The area has been a traditional fishing ground for Khmer coastal communities. Sihanoukville port was developed in the late 1950s as Cambodia's only deep-water port. The city grew as Cambodia's beach resort capital in the 1990s and 2000s, with the casino and entertainment industry attracting major investment—particularly from Chinese investors since 2016. The rapid development of Sihanoukville has created intense pressure on the surrounding environment including Ream National Park.

Ream National Park was established in 1993 as Cambodia's first protected area specifically designed to protect marine and coastal ecosystems. The park has been a center of international conservation attention, particularly since reports emerged in 2020–2021 of significant deforestation within the park boundaries and the clearing of land for what US officials have characterized as a potential Chinese military base (possibly a facility for the People's Liberation Army Navy). Cambodia has denied military purposes. The controversy has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the national park's protected status.

Ream offers boat tours through the mangrove river system, where dolphins, otters, and kingfishers can be observed. The offshore islands provide excellent snorkeling and diving on relatively undisturbed coral reefs. Pristine sand beaches on the outer islands are accessible by boat from the park headquarters pier. The forest trail offers wildlife watching for monkeys and forest birds. Sunrise boat trips in the mangrove estuary are particularly recommended for bird watching. The park's headquarters and Prek Toeuk Sap river area provide the main visitor access point.

The park headquarters and boat pier are approximately 18 km from Sihanoukville town center. Sihanoukville is Cambodia's beach resort capital with international flights and frequent buses from Phnom Penh (4 hours). Boats for mangrove and island tours can be arranged at the park headquarters or through Sihanoukville tour operators. Day trips from Sihanoukville are the most common visitor format. Accommodation is available in Sihanoukville; some basic stays are possible near the park entrance. The dry season (November–April) is the best time for marine activities.

Reports of significant land clearing within the park for military or development purposes represent a severe conservation threat that has attracted international scrutiny. Traditional threats include illegal fishing (trawling in marine park areas), mangrove cutting for charcoal, and land encroachment. The rapid development of Sihanoukville—including casino construction and associated urban sprawl—has degraded the park's buffer zone. Coral bleaching from warming sea temperatures has damaged reef systems. The international controversy over activities within the park has highlighted the governance challenges facing Cambodia's protected area system.