A food vendor at Kep Beach was summoned by authorities to explain herself after reportedly overcharging for the use of a beach hut during the recent water festival. A viral social media post claimed that she demanded $50 for the use of a hut, as much as ten times the generally accepted price. She has since signed a commitment to cease any activities that could negatively affect the way tourists view the province.
The social media post recently went viral, with a tourist offering criticism about their experience in Kep.
“In Kep, you can’t park in the public area in front of the huts unless you rent one. Each hut costs $50. If you plan to come to Kep, please don’t come. They are overcharging,” said the creator of the video.
Soeng Butarak, Kep city deputy governor, noted that on normal days, most vendors rent the huts for between $5 and $15.
He explained that while there are no formally established prices, the town administration is working with other relevant authorities to resolve the issue.
“Most of the vendors cooperate with the authorities and do not increase the price of the beach huts. Only a small number do not listen. Rising the price like this is like destroying their business,” he said.
On Sunday, November 9, the Kep City administration announced that city authorities, in cooperation with the Provincial Department of Tourism, summoned Chhom Kimtheuy, a vendor at Kep Beach, for questioning on November 7.
During questioning, Kimtheuy explained that she had told the tourist to park elsewhere but admitted that she quoted a rental price of $50 per hut. She clarified that this was a negotiable price, adding that that customers who ordered at least four dishes from her food stall would not be charged for the hut rental.
According to the city administration, Kimtheuy agreed to comply with the guidance from the city and the provincial tourism department, and had signed a written commitment to “cease all activities that cause negative impacts on tourists”.
She also promised not to raise prices during national or international holidays, to keep parking areas open for public use, to display clear menus and receipts with the stall name, location and contact phone number, and to cooperate with authorities in maintaining public order and environmental cleanliness at the beach.
Provincial governor Som Piseth reported that during the three days of the Water Festival, 155,458 domestic and international tourists visited the province, an increase of 56.58 per cent over 2024.
However, he noted that despite the best efforts of the authorities, there were some gaps and shortcomings, such as recent been criticisms about a small number of activities related to the price of tourism services.
The provincial administration, he said, has accepted the constructive comments of the public and all tourists as a basis for improving and addressing all the shortcomings, which are a concern to all citizens. Piseth noted that the provincial government is striving to make Kep more attractive and is working to develop all tourism areas to welcome all guests to the province.
The provincial authorities urged any visitors who encounter any irregularities or unfair practices — especially regarding tourism service pricing — to report complaints by contacting the following phone numbers: 015 250 768, 011 413 737, 097 964 6898 or 096 6666 727.
