Travel Guide Chi Pat

The village of Chi Pat is located in the Cardamom mountain range. The commune comprises four villages: Chi Pat, Toeuk La Ork, Cham Sla and Kom Lot. There are around 500 families, who have traditionally lived as farmers, hunters or fishermen. During the Khmer Rouge period, the village was transformed into an agricultural base. By 1979, only ten families remained in Chi Pat. From 1993 onwards, the village began to develop. The villagers, under the impetus of Community Based Eco-Tourism, supported by the NGO Wildlife Alliance, organized themselves in a community-based and participatory manner. The project aims to develop ecotourism and handicrafts in the region. More than 150 local people are members of the project, working as guides, cooks, administrative staff and bed & breakfast staff. The project has revitalized the commune and is one of the only ways to access the magnificent Cardamom region.