In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 1948
- Birthplace
- Prey Veng Province, Cambodia
- Country
- Cambodia
- Nationality
- Cambodian
- Known for
- Building Sokimex from petroleum distribution into hospitality and property
- Founded
- Sokimex, 1990
- Hotel brand
- Sokha Hotels & Resorts
- Core sectors
- Petroleum, hospitality and real estate
- Major development
- Bokor Mountain projects
Why this life matters
Sok Kong’s expansion from early postwar trading into petroleum and luxury tourism illustrates how Cambodia’s first generation of domestic conglomerates grew alongside the market transition.
Timeline
Key moments
Established Sokimex
Started Sok Kong Import Export during Cambodia’s transition toward a market economy.
Expanded in petroleum
Developed fuel import and distribution into the group’s best-known early business.
Opened Sokha Beach Resort
Launched the flagship property of what became Cambodia’s largest local luxury hotel chain.
Reorganised as an investment group
Sokimex Investment Group formalised an increasingly diversified portfolio.
A postwar trading company becomes a fuel network
Sok Kong founded Sok Kong Import Export in 1990, when Cambodia was emerging from conflict and private commerce was expanding. Petroleum distribution became the company’s foundation and gave Sokimex a national presence during a period of limited domestic capital.
The group later moved into construction, infrastructure and property. Its growth shows how early access to logistics, licences and state-linked projects helped a small number of Cambodian firms become multi-sector conglomerates.
Hospitality and large-scale development
Sokha Beach Resort opened in Sihanoukville in 2004 and became the first flagship of Sokha Hotels & Resorts. Properties in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and other destinations connected the group’s expansion to the rapid growth of Cambodian tourism.
Sokimex also pursued major development around Bokor Mountain. Those ventures made Sok Kong an important figure in modern Cambodian business while raising broader questions about the close relationship between large concessions, political authority and private growth.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Sok Kong
- Who is Sok Kong?
- Sok Kong is a founder and chairman of Sokimex Investment Group. Sok Kong’s expansion from early postwar trading into petroleum and luxury tourism illustrates how Cambodia’s first generation of domestic conglomerates grew alongside the market transition.
- What is Sok Kong best known for?
- Sok Kong is best known for building Sokimex from petroleum distribution into hospitality and property.
- When and where was Sok Kong born?
- Sok Kong was born in 1948 in Prey Veng Province, Cambodia.
Sources and further reading
How this biography was checked
Core dates and offices are checked against the sources below. This profile was last reviewed on 9 September 2026.
