Capital:

Phnom Penh. Has a  population of around 2 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). The capital has changed a lot with many new buildings, good roads etc and the airport is modern and easy with fast foods etc. It is transforming very fast with a wealthy section that one can only ask where does all the money come from when you see the number of people doing nothing. Everything is cash so how taxation exists must be a headache. However there are many poor people as well as the rich. Most if not everything comes in from China or Thailand.

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 money changers who are at the markets. You can use Thai baht and US dollars are the currency of the day There are many money chagers around so check the exchange rates but take Thai baht or US$ prefereably small denominations before you go then you have a good supply. Check your change all the time and make sure your US$ are not torn or marked as then you cannot onsell them. You can also use part riel and part $US to pay for anything.

Telephones:

There are no coin operated phones in Cambodia (Cambodian currency has no coins) but who needs it when you have many Internet cafes and hotels with internet and sype to call home. 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.You can buy simms etc and mobiles are cheap to buy with many vendors selling phones as well as simms all over the place.

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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 trip to the city is approx 10-15 minutes and charges in a tuktuk are US$7 but you can negotiate, They are safe but hold on to your possessions and bags as it has been known for foreigners to lose bags from passer byers on tuktuks. It is however a friendly country and you will find the Cambodians and even the vendors are much friendlier than Thais and don't press you by their hard sales pitches. You can rent motorcycles and dirt bikes at many places but the Cambodian roads are crazy but they do not speed like in Thailand so one can manouvre around cars, bikes and everyone is conscious of this as to have an accident will cost.

Rail transport is not available to most parts 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). Buses go everywhere as do the planes so its easy to get transport tom every part of Cambodia now.

On the riverfront


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 Phno be m Penh and food used totwice as dear as Thailand and not as nice but now its cheaper and much better with more selections than 10 years ago. In fact chinese meals and cheap and you can get a good breakfast for $1.50 -$2.50. Theres even a buffet oppoist the Royal Star Hotel for breakfast. 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 but believe me its gotton better than 10 years ago as in 2011.  The best things to eat are $1 baguettes and French breads which are far better than in Thailand and gtheres many fast foods now and 24 hour Mini Marts opened. You can buy liquour at the mini marts and use any currency eg. Thai, US$ & Riel..

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.  

POLICE & CRIME: Police earn $16 a month?? You also see soldiers & guards who still carry AK47s around and crime does exist but its a lot better than 10 years ago and getting better all the time as the infrastructures get better. 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 and make sure you have copies in your bag. If you lose your passport forget telling the Police as they will want a bribe and still do nothing so make sure you have the Embassy numbers in your pocketbook. However we believe there is a Tourist Police so perhaps life has changed a little but ask any of the riverfront hotels and guesthouse restaurants that are foreign owned and they will help you. Theres ATMs and Banks everywhere now so just have as much money as you need when travelling around but the Cambodians are very freindly & don't hassle you as much as Thais do.

INTERNET: Cheap and its everywhere. In many Hotels its free and internet cafes charge $1 an hour. Theres wifi everywhere and no worries if you have your laptop.In Cambodia to have Internet in your home costs a mere $19 a month. Compared to NZ where satellite internet stings you for $120 a month & you have to pay for downloads, Cambodia internet is quick and fast. Even Thailand do not as yet allow free internet in many places and oversharge but the west is worse??? There is also free wifi computers at the departure lounge for free everything

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 $US500 then forget the tax and away you go. No food or liquour license like Thailand & they do have supermarkets and all night shops same as in Thailand. The Vietnamese invasion effectively gave Vietnam a foothold in Cambodia so Vietnamese Nationals only need ID cards to come over and a lot have filled the vaccuum of those Cambodians who lost there lives to Pol Pot and his bunch. Again we see the Vietnamese are in no hurry to share their talent with the Khemer and as for the Thais you will not see Thai restaurants springing up who will explooit the place as the Cambodians have had problems with Thailand in the past so Thais are not exploiting openly any more. This is a good sign as the Thais would take over everything from property to business as they do in other countries. But for a foreigner with a good Cambodian guide there is an opening to do business but just remember the US$ goes a long way in Cambodia so pick the right business that you want to do. We found in 2011 when we visited that even giving more money for items bought they would mention the fact whereas a Thai wouldn't or overcharge a foreigner so from our experience we felt the Cambodians are much nicer to deal with than Thais who are over obsessed with money.

MACHINERY, TOOLS ETC .

For Machinery etc like truck parts and machinery parts the Cambodians are good at stripping things and No 70 road which one takes to the airport from the river is abundant with truck and machinery parts. Like in Thailand there is no uniformity of where one department is from another but the city is easy to get around and theres plenty of motorbike taxies and bikes to hire.  

VISAS:

Yes. There is a Thai Embassy again in Phnom Penh but you get a visa on arrival and its a place where many foreigners come to get their visa then head back to Thailand. The visa-on-arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport cost $US20 for a tourist visa and $25 for a business long stay visa so make sure you have $US on you when you arrive. As you come off the plane you hand your passport into one counter then go to the next counter where they will give you back your passport with visa stamp and you pay the $US charge. You then continue to the Immigration and they will finally stamp you thru then you can get your luggage and exit. Make sure you have a passport photo with you when you get the visa. Airasia has a daily run from Bangkok 3.20pm and a return is at 5.20pm once a day as well as Bangkok Airways. If you book with Airasia at the airport then they will include your departure fee of $US20 so this aves you the hassle of having the $20 needed if you have to do.Like anything you can book on the internet now.

You can also get the visa at any crossing and or at the Poipet crossing to the west with Thailand. Have a spare passport photo to avoid undue delays and a small additional charge. Otherwise the fee is in US dollars for a tourist visa which can be extended for a further 30 days for an additional fee without leaving the country. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your departure date. Living in Cambodia is a lot easier for a foreigner than in Thailand and cheaper. The food is excellent as is the infrastructure and its easy to get around. The problem will be for most foreigners is what to do but one can get a long visa without having to go out all the time like Thailand

VIETNAMESE NGOS ETC

Cambodians & the Chinese/ Vietnam population are rich and you will see the many hugh homes that line the streets in various areas in the city. Of course there are still the NGOs like UNICEF with their flash offices and overpaid staff who seem to do very little to stimulate the economy in favour of their own pockets and the army are all into business which is usually the norm in such countries. Bit the Cambodians are a lot more friendlier than Thais and do not hard press you to buy as in Thailand. Cambodia has come a long way since 10 years ago as you will see the huge homes with high gates and fences adorn boulevards. Theres a big gap between rich and poor as the tax system is pretty useless and those in the army and high places dominate the business world. Over the years the UN and US Governments and others have poured millions of $$$$ into officicials pockets and still do just like many countries whose GDP is minimal??? so corruption in ven Cambodia is no different than Thailand or laos.

WHERE TO EAT:

You must try the baguettes. You will see stalls everywhere but check out the ones with pate; cucumber, onions, tomatoes and they are delicious

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.