Chad Richardson and his wife Say Soklen, who is originally from Kampong Cham province. Supplied
For tourists, Koh Rong Island, with its pristine sands and turquoise waters, is a picture-postcard destination often dubbed “Cambodia's paradise”. However, for American Chad Richardson, it is more than just a holiday spot.
Driven by a deep affection for the Khmer people and captivated by the country’s beauty, he made the bold decision to sell all of his assets in the US and relocate to the idyllic island of Koh Rong, a paradise renowned for its pristine beaches and a popular destination for expats.
“Cambodia is the most beautiful and happiest place I’ve ever been,” Richardson declared, explaining his decision.
Richardson’s journey began in 1999 as a missionary. Two years later, he was captivated by the country and resolved to make it his permanent residence. “I fell in love with Cambodia,” he recalls, “the people are incredibly kind and good-natured.”
Initially, he supported himself by selling American products online, a necessity in the pre-internet age.
“I spent hours each day at an internet cafe,” he recalls, “as internet access was still quite limited.”
His travels across Southeast Asia solidified his belief that Cambodia was unique.
Chad Richardson smiles as he is interviewed on Koh Rong in December 2024. Vong Oun
“I found that only Cambodia had such kind-hearted people, especially the women,” he remarks with a chuckle.
“I searched for my wife across the country, and ultimately found her in Kampong Cham, a province renowned for its beautiful women,” he adds.
Following their 2014 marriage, Richardson and his wife Say Soklen sought a more tranquil lifestyle.
The couple’s desire for a life by the sea led them to Koh Rong. “I’d travelled extensively,” Richardson explained, “and Koh Rong’s beauty simply surpassed any other place I’d seen.”
Chad Richardson, his wife and three children. Supplied
“The land was legally acquired from local Cambodians who had reclaimed it from the Vietnamese during the turbulent period of the 1990s,” he explains, adding that all transactions were conducted with traditional village customs.
Early development on the island was hampered by a lack of infrastructure, particularly water supply.
Undeterred, Richardson invited German and English investors to join him, leading to the establishment of shops, gyms and other businesses. He has built homes for his family and rents out properties to tourists, contributing to the growing tourism industry on the island.
Now 45 years old, Richardson resides on the island with his wife and three children.
“Koh Rong is the cleanest place I’ve ever seen,” he enthused. “The island offers a clean environment, strong leadership and a chance for my children to learn from the kind and entrepreneurial spirit of the Cambodian people.”
Richardson believes that Koh Rong provides a unique learning environment for his children, allowing them to experience a different way of life and learn valuable life skills from the local community – key factors contributing to their happy life.
“I want my children to learn from the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of the Cambodian people,” he said.
Looking ahead, Richardson plans to divide his time between Koh Rong and his wife’s hometown of Kampong Cham, cherishing the unique experiences each location offers.
“Cambodian people are incredibly resourceful and possess strong business acumen,” he observes.
Richardson has come a long way from the Grand Canyon State of Arizona to the Kingdom’s second largest island, but sometimes you need to leave a place to find your way home.
