Koh Pich, or "Diamond Island" in English, is a satellite city in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. Koh Pich faces the Boeng Keng Kang I district and is surrounded by the Mekong and Bassac rivers.

Diamond Island
កោះពេជ្រ
Aerial view of Koh Pich looking west
Aerial view of Koh Pich looking west
Map
CountryCambodia
CityPhnom Penh
DistrictChamkar Mon
Area
 • Total
0.8 ha (2.0 acres)
Websitewww.ocic.com.kh

Linked by bridges, the man-made island is connected to downtown Phnom Penh.

Today, Koh Pich hosts some of Phnom Penh’s tallest buildings such as the GIA tower, Diamond Bay Garden, Diamond Twin Tower, Morgan tower and Casa By Meridian.[1]

History

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Toponymy

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Koh Pich (Khmer: កោះពេជ្រ, Kaôh Péch [kɑh peic]) translates as Diamond Island in English.

First settlements

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Koh Pich was formed due to the buildup of slit from the changing river flows of the Bassac and Mekong river, creating a 800-meter wide island.[2]

Early developments

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In the early 2000s, the area was a swamp land with a small community of fishing families settled on the island.[3]

By 2004, the Government of Cambodia gave permission to a local conglomerate, OCIC Group, to develop the island into a commercial and residential hub.[4]

Commercial and residential developments

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Since 2006, Koh Pich hosts high-rise projects, including apartment complexes, residential homes, office buildings, commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, entertainment areas, parks, wedding halls, a theater, and convention halls.[5]

A neighborhood named "Elysée" has a style inspired by Paris.[6]

 
Drone view of Koh Pich and downtown Phnom Penh

Almost all of the island is in Chamkar Mon Section.[7]

Pedestrian Zone

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Koh Pich features a riverside promenade, as well as traffic signs, sidewalks, and roads.

Education

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The Canadian International School of Phnom Penh has its main campus in Koh Pich; this campus opened in 2015.[8]

The EFI (Ecole Française Internationale) is a French international school that opened in 2016. It is located in Koh Pich, where it shares a campus with the Canadian International School of Phnom Penh.

De Montfort University is the first British university to open its campus in Cambodia, it opened its doors in 2024, with its main campus in Koh Pich.

Parks and green spaces

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Koh Pich features green spaces and parks such as Coconut Park, Treellion Park and Elysée Garden.

Koh Pich is home to Aquation Office Park, a green complex of workspaces, stores, arts and entertainment, located in Treellion Park.[9]

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The 2010 accident

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The Phnom Penh stampede was a deadly stampede that occurred during the Water Festival at Diamond Island in Cambodia. It resulted in 347 people being killed and at least 755 being injured.

References

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  1. ^ List of tallest buildings in Cambodia
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ [3]
  5. ^ [4]
  6. ^ "Little Paris comes to Koh Pich | Phnom Penh Post".
  7. ^ "Property Tax Map". City of Phnom Penh. Retrieved 2020-05-06. - Map of Chamkar Mon Section - Compare map to Google Maps view of Chamkar Mon District.
  8. ^ "The Canadian International School of Phnom Penh expands its operations". Phnom Penh Post. 2018-10-31. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  9. ^ [5]
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