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The beachside restaurants and footpaths in front of neon lit casinos heave with Chinese tourists and construction workers in Sihanoukville but it was in the remote Boutum Sakor National Park that I saw the emotional toll of Chinese investment in Cambodia.
The neon lights of Chinese funded casinos light up the ruins of an old market and restuarant building in Sihanoukville.
Photo: Kate Geraghty
Driving deep into the pristine jungle along a dirt road towards Prek Smach Poy Japon village we pass undetected through the roadblocks that normally stop anyone from entering this area.
It is here that I spent a day with four families who refuse to leave their homes inside a small village that has been fenced in by the Chinese company UDG wanting to build a resort.
The building of a road cutting through virgin jungle leading to what will be a resort in Ream National park 30km from Sihanoukville.
Photo: Kate Geraghty
The stress is taking its toll as they meticulously explain how they face intimidation from authorities and live in perpetual fear that their homes will be bulldozed at any moment.
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