Few neighbourhoods have such a traumatic recent history as the Boeung Kak Lake area. Bin Si Mony, a local shop owner, settled there after the Khmer Rouge regime in 1980. She witnessed the area as it grew from being sparsely inhabited by government workers to gaining popularity with the influx of foreigners as the tourist industry opened up in the mid-90s. But then, she says, “the filling in of the lake made everything go quiet.”

Bun Si Mony says she has noticed a change since Simone Bistro arrived. “There are more parties and people coming in now, and I’m happy because it brings me customers. Different people are moving here – a mix of Khmer students and foreigners.”

Although districts such as Tonle Bassac and BKK1 have already developed into expensive neighbourhoods equipped with chic bars and coffee shops, it’s less about trendiness and more about convenience. “BKK1 is well located and was one of the first neighbourhoods to see the development of modern serviced apartments, boutique hotels, restaurants and the bar scene,” says Padden. “As this trend continued, it became established as a desirable residential neighbourhood.”

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