Pailin, was originally just a gem town, until the Khmer Rouges made it into their stronghold in 1980 and depleted the natural resource that made it famous. Now the surrounding areas are being used to create plantations for agricultural purposes. Although the Khmer regime was more or less controlling the inhabitants, recent migration of people from other parts of Cambodia made a welcoming change of the attitude of the people who live in the city, they are generally happy too see foreigners visiting their hometown and tourism is starting to appear.

The town has scenic surroundings that that give a feeling of tranquility even though so much negative happenings took place in the area, and especially beautiful as the sun sets over the mountains where the border of Cambodia and Thailand is. With Wat Gohng-Kahng being close to the town and O'Tavao Waterfall also being close, this town is worthy of a visit.