Koh Tang, Koh Prins, Poulou Wai - Some of the best diving waters in the area lie 4-8 hours to the southwest, around Koh Tang, Koh Prins and Poulo Wai. The distance normally requires at least a night's stay. The area has rocky reefs, depths of 15-40m and much better visibility than reefs closer to shore, ranging from 10-30m, usually around 15m. Koh Prins has two shipwrecks to the northwest at 30-40m. Koh Tang is a favorite diver’s destination. The island played a major role in the 'Mayaguez Incident' and still shows the scarring of the May 1975 battle between American and Khmer Rouge forces (see page 8.) The surrounding waters offer several reefs and outcroppings displaying a particularly colorful variety of hard and soft corals, an abundance of other marine life, and consistently good visibility.
Koh Wai, also known as Poulo Wai or Wai Islands is a group of two small uninhabited islands in the Gulf of Siam. The islands are located far away from the shore, 95 km to the southwest of the coast of Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia. Administratively Koh Wai falls under Kampot Province.
The Khmer word Koh (កោះ), means 'island' translated into English.
Both islands are roughly 3 km long with a maximum width of about 0.5 km. They are located 1.4 km from each other.
History
Historically these islands constitute a disputed territory between Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, all nations claiming that they are within their territorial waters.
In May 1975 the area around these islands and nearby Koh Tang was the site of the Mayaguez incident, the last combat action of the Vietnam War involving the rescue of the SS Mayaguez. One month later in the same year Vietnam People's Army forces seized the islands and there was a battle between Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese troops over the control of the islands. Finally the Vietnamese evacuated Koh Wai in August.
The Koh Wai islands were for a long time off-limits for tourists, but now they can be visited in organized excursions. Since the trip is too long to go and come back in the same day, usually visitors stay overnight on one of the islands.
No comments:
Post a Comment