Capital: Phnom Penh. Has a  population of around 1.3 million. Religion: The official religion is Theravada Buddhism, as is also practiced in Thailand, Burma, Laos and Sri Lanka. About 90% of Khmers are of this religion. The country also has minority religions of about half a million Muslims, and 60,000 Christians. Local Time: is 7 Hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
Currency: The Riel. Denominations are Riel 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100. Foreign currencies are easily changed at a hotel, at the airport, or at a Bureau de Change.
Telephones: There are no coin operated phones in Cambodia (Cambodian currency has no coins). In Phnom Penh, though, there are cardphones situated throughout the city, and the cards to use in them are available at many outlets. There are also several mobile phone systems & vendors in Phone boxes use mobile phones now..

Transport: While there are certainly an increased of cars in Phnom Penh, the favored mode of transportation is still by motorbike or cyclo. The cyclo provides visitors with a way to see the city at a leisurely pace. A short trip is 500 riel but at night is doubles or you can pay say $1. Rail transport is not available to most part of the country. Travel by rail is only possible to Battambang province. Apart from the international airport in Phnom Penh, there are eight provincial airports. River travel is becoming popular along the Tonle Sap river, Tonle Basak river, and of course the Mekong river. Catch the ferry from Siam Reap to Phnom Penh for $20 and takes up to 6-7 hours. Travel to some parts of Cambodia is restricted but the road to Sihanoukville is excellent and takes 4 hours. Prior to venturing out on their own tourists are advised to contact the information counter at the Ministry of Tourism or at the Pochentong International Airport. Bangkok to Had Lek / Koh Kong border crossing Bus from Bangkok to Trat (~170 baht). Van from Trat to Had Lek (100 baht). Departs every 30 minutes. Buy visa and walk into Cambodia. Watch out for touts and drivers over the border. By ferry, take a motodup into Koh Kong City or to the ferry dock (50 baht or shared taxi. 200 baht for private taxi)

Bangkok to Siem Reap via Aranyaprathet/Poipet border crossing 466km, 9-12 hour trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap.  4-5 hour bus or train ride from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet (‘Aran’),then a short tuk-tuk ride 6 km to the border crossing. Cambodian visas available. From Poipet on the Cambodian side, 3-8 hour bus or taxi to Siem Reap. From Poipet through Sisophon to Siem Reapyou can take: tourist bus, pickup , or  shared/private taxi. Tourist Bus:varies & watch out for touts taking you to a bus then extracting money and running while the driver isn't there. Buses are slow. 4-8 hours. Pickup: 30 baht (back) - 100 baht (inside, 2 seats) to Sisophon. Change vehicles in Sisophon. 50 baht (in the back) - 200 baht (inside, 2 seats) to Siem Reap. 3-5 hours. Taxi: 150-200 baht per seat in a shared taxi. 900- 1200 baht for the whole car. 3-4 hours. This is the easiest, fastest, most expensive option.


On arrival: Tourists entering Cambodia go through Pochentong Airport, Phnom Penh  or the border by road. If a previous booking has been made at a downtown hotel, arrangements will most likely have been made for an airport pick-up. If travelers are making their own way into the city, a taxi (non-metered variety) will take only 10-15 minutes. The cost should be around US$ 4- 7. Watch out for touts and pick pockets and passengers on motorcycles who will go alongside a tuk tuk and steal your bag. It happened to a friend of ours this year in March and the Police were not interested. Carry your passport at all times & copies and remember if you lose anything the cops will want a bribe and still not do anything. If you don't have an Embassy and lose your possessions you are in trouble. Since Sam Rainsey left Cambodia Feb 2005 in a hurry; it is safe but caution prevails everywhere.
Food: Rice and Fish, together with a tempting array of herbs, sauces and spices are typical Khmer cuisine but basically the food is terrible. Curries and soups with beef, pork, poultry - and always seafood - can be bought from any street vendor for a very small outlay but watch the hygiene? There is no problem about finding western style places to eat in Phnom Penh but food is twice as dear as Thailand and not as nice. Many Khmer restaurants have the 2 tier system-- price for you and one for them?? Hygiene has a lot to be desired here and with bad roads and rubbish everywhere Cambodia has a long way to go.  The best things to eat are baguettes and French cheese, tuna from the tin.
Opening hours:
Government offices - Hours of business are 07:30 to 11:30 and again from 14:00 to 17:00, Mondays to Fridays.  General offices - privately run companies are usually open for business from 07:30 to 20:00 every days. Banks - open from 08:00 to 15:30, Mondays to Fridays. Closed on public holidays. 
Market - open from early morning to late evening; they do not close on Sundays or public holidays. Theres  ATM machines ANZ Royal Bank ATM's accept Visa credit cards. Canadia Bank ATM's accept bank debit cards holding a Cirrus/Maestro logo. Make sure all your US$ have no creases or rips as you won't be able to get rid of them. You can use Baht near Thailand and in Siam Reap so save your dollars for Phnom Penh.
Electricity - All electric appliances use 220 volts. Tips for travelers: Visitors to Cambodia should realize that it is not safe to travel freely all over the country. The tourist information desk at Pochentong Airport and the information desk at the Ministry of Tourism, or reputable tour companies will give tourists advice on where it is safe to travel in Cambodia. Provided that advice is given, visitors will find no problems. The Cambodian people offer a warm welcome, and the natural and architectural wonders to be found make a visit to Cambodia an experience never to be forgotten but be careful as some will try to fleece you.
Music: The music of Cambodia performed on traditional instruments plays an important part in the lives of the people, and accompanies with dance, rituals and ceremonies. Arts and Crafts can be found in intricate stone and woodcarvings, Cambodia hand woven silk, and their silversmiths expertise dates from the 11th century.  Shopping and Bargaining: Visitors should remember to be relaxed during the bargaining ritual, and to enjoy themselves. If they are not frustrated when they are not understood very well they will come away with a cheap and interesting souvenir.
Accommodations: Lots of Guesthouses &  hotels handle the yearly influx of a half million visitors of all faiths from all continents. Prices for accommodation are moderate, but those seeking luxury will find five star and some five star deluxe hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Tourist guides: Highly professional government licensed tourist guides are available to help visitors to get the maximum benefit from sightseeing. These experienced multilingual guides accompany by organized bus tours or hired cars are offered by tour companies or private rental car companies. Visitors are welcome by 163 travel  agencies and offered guides speaking English, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, Thai, Korean and Vietnamese. However most Hotels have cars available with drivers to show you around. 

Motorcycle Hire: $3 a day for a Honda Dream but make sure you lock it up. $6 for a 250cc dirt bike & gas is 500 riel a litre. Keep away from Noradom Blvd as its a no go for bikes & lots of blue uniform Police who will fine you up to $20 for beer money?? Yes they even say it but settle for 5000 riel or $5. Remember people get shot here for $US10. 

POLICE & CRIME: Police earn $16 a month?? You also see soldiers who still carry AK47s around and crime does exist. If you lose your wallet don't think they will investigate as you will have to pay for them to do that. Always carry your passport. If you lose your passport forget telling the Police as they will want a bribe and still do nothing. However we believe there is now  Tourist Police so perhaps life has changed a little.

DOING BUSINESS: Forget it unless you are game or don't mind bribing the police each month. Basically you can then do anything you want and open as long as you want. You can open a bar and obtain a genuine license for $US500 then forget the tax and away you go. No food or liquour license like Thailand & they do have supermarkets but nothing like Thailand. If your'e an exporter forget it: bribes come from the Police, customs and border guards before you even get your stuff out. the Vietnamese invasion effectively gave Vietnam a foothold in Cambodia so Vietnamese Nationals only need ID cards to come over and a lot have filled the vaccuum of those Cambodians who lost there lives to Pol Pot and his bunch. Again we see the Vietnamese are in no hurry to share their talent with the Khemer. 

VISAS: Yes. There is a Thai Embassy again. 

1/. LUCKY MARKET GROUP LTD: Lucky Investment Ltd. Lucky Supermarket, Lucky Burger, Lucky Department Store. Tel: 855(23) 215-229  Fax: 855 (23) 426 291No 160, Preah Sihanouk Blvd, Phnom Penh City, Cambodia.

2/. BAKERS EXPRESS: NZ owned #82, St. 63 Sangkat Boeung Rang Khan Doun Penh, Phnom Penh. Tel: (023)215784  & 018820933

PLACES TO STAY: This has not been updated and some hotels may not be there anymore

Allison Hotel: International Hotel in the Centre 128 Monivong Blvd. Tel: 018811663/ 015919328 Fax: 360-469

Bayon Hotel: French and affordable: Tel: 427-281 Fax: 427-378

Cloud 9 Guest House & Restaurant: OK and affordable. Tel: 368-289 Boeng Kak Lake.

Dusit Hotel: There are apartments here. Tel: 015913388  Fax: 362-281

Hawaii Hotel: Tel: 426747 Fax: 426 652

Hotel Sofitel Cambodiana: A real good Hotel. 83 Monivong Rd. Tel: 426-288 Fax: 426-290

Olympic Tower: M.V. Jawaharlal Nerhu. Tel: 018812111 Fax: 366-126

Royal Phnom Penh Hotel: Thai managed Hotel. Tel: 360-026  Fax: 360-036

Walkabout Hotel is a popular foreigners Hotel.

Tai Seng Hotel
 56-58 Preah Monivong Blvd Tai Seng Hotel is situated in the heart of downtown Phnom Penh, in the Monivong Boulevard, only 15 minutes away from Poechentong International Airport. Within walking distance of the Central Market, Orphanage, as well as major commercial banks and international embassies, our unique location enables our guests the convenient access to both entertainment and business activities.  Friendly, comfortable, luxurious and memorable one.
Tai Seng Hotel is fully air-conditioned, with spacious rooms, a modern restaurant serving Asian and Western meals and a conference room. All rooms are furnished with a colour television with satellite channels, an IDD telephone, a refrigerator and suite facilities. We have well-trained, multilingual staffs to provide high quality services, including free airport pick-ups, sales of tickets, flight re-confirmation, laundry room, safe deposit boxes and taxi & minibus services, to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Room rates are included 20% Tax and service charges $US8

WHERE TO STAY:

Top: Grand Hotel d'Angkor 855-63-963-888 email: raffles.grand@bigpond.co.kh costs start at $310    Neak Pean 855-63-380-07 email: yaklom@rep.forum.org.kh offers rooms for $25-30. Lots of Guest houses for $5-10.

SIHANOUKVILLE:

Go to the [  Fisherman's Den Bar  ] and see "Kiwi Brian"  the proprietor. Munddul 1 Sangkat 2 Khan Mittapheap, Sihanoukville Tel: 034 933-997. If you want to know whats happening over here then Brian can help you from accommodation to fishing expeditions to you name it. Brian is from ex Bull Ring Fame from Pattaya, Soi Yodsak and a decent guy.  He arranges mini bus tours to Hat Lek and back into Thailand for $US20 and the Thai army are now doing this road up which is a lot better than the Aranyaprathet to Siam Reap road. The new bridge over the Koh Kong River has been finished  thanks to the Japanese but you still have to go over 4 rivers by ferry which is a good break from sitting in the mini bus for the 5-6 hour drive.

Scuba Nation is Cambodia's premier diving provider, safely satisfying the scuba diver needs. As the first PADI Dive Center in Cambodia, Scuba Nation has accomodated over 2500 beginning and experienced divers from over 32 countries. Scuba Nation is proud to offer Cambodia's only purpose built, liveaboard Dive Boat. We offer daily diving trips and dive courses from beginner to instructor levels and teach in English, French, German and Dutch.We are absolutely certain you will enjoy your diving experience with us. Scuba Nation has no hidden fees and everything you need to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience is provided. Gerard & Vicky Scuba Nation Cambodia. Scuba Nation Diving Centre PADI S-6638 Main office: No 20,St 278 (Behind Lucky Supermarket) Phnom Penh , Cambodia Phone:+855 (012) 715785 Branch office: Weather Station Hill (near Mash Melting Pot) Sihanoukville Phone: +855 (0)12 604680 E-mail : scubanation@yahoo.com  Website : www.divecambodia.com

USEFUL LINKS:

Khmer Rouge period, as well as information relating to Cambodian refugees and immigrants abroad Cambodia files   archive of the Khmer people, legal aid, press  Cambodia Web  information about Cambodia, its history,  Angkor Wat, culture and traditions, tourism Cambodian History and socio-economic info Including Killing Fields info. Cambodian Webring  Index of  personal & official sites. World Factbook                 Current Local Weather Forecast          Embassy Page                 

EXPORTS to and from Bangkok to Cambodia:

We now provide daily transport for you and  your garments and goods from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet or even to Phnom Penh. Also daily transport leaving Pratunam in Bangkok. If you want goods delivered ask us at Asia Trading Post. 

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