Cambodia

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Overview

For so long off the tourist trail, visitors began to return to Cambodia in the late 1980s, but were restricted to the capital, Phnom Penh, and a few of the temples of Angkor near Siem Reap. It would be many years before the whole of the country was safe to travel around. In 1999, the remaining Khmer Rouge troops defected to the government side.

The temples of Angkor literally rise out of the jungle and are a magnet for visitors to Cambodia. Angkor Wat is the largest and most famous of the temples, and visitors could easily spend a week exploring the hundreds of other exquisite structures. Phnom Penh is a bustling city, often overshadowed by glamorous Angkor. It is a city of contrasts with fine colonial architecture side by side with ramshackle streets.

Elsewhere, few visitors take the time to discover the hill tribes around Banlung, the unspoilt countryside around sleepy Sen Monorom and the charming riverine town of Battambang with its faded colonial architecture. Those looking for relaxation make their way to Sihanoukville with its lovely sandy beaches and laid-back lifestyle.

With the road network little by little improving, so much more of this delightful country is open to visitors who take the time to discover the Cambodia beyond the temples.

Area
181,035 sq km (69,900 sq miles).

Population
14.8 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
81.7 per sq km.

Capital
Phnom Penh. Population: 1.17 million (2005).

Government
Constitutional monarchy since 1993.

Language
Khmer is the official language and spoken by 95% of the population. Chinese and Vietnamese are also spoken. French was widely spoken until the arrival of the Pol Pot regime and is still taught in schools, but English is now a more popular language to learn among the younger generation.

Religion
95% Buddhist (Theravada), the remainder Muslim and Christian. Buddhism was reinstated as the national religion in 1989 after a ban on religious activity in 1975.

Time
GMT + 7.

Social Conventions
Sensitivity to politically-related subjects in conversation is advisable. Avoid pointing your foot at a person or touching someone on the head. Women should keep their shoulders covered and not wear shorts when visiting pagodas.

Photography: Permitted, with certain restrictions, such as the photographing of military installations, airports and railway stations. It is polite to ask permission before photographing Cambodian people, especially monks.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are in use. Power cuts are frequent.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Hun Sen since 1998.

Head of State
King Norodom Sihamoni since 2004.

Culture

Food and Drink
Restaurants and other businesses abound in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Food stalls are also common in all towns and cities. Khmer cuisine is very similar to Thai, but with fewer spices involved.

National specialities:
o There is a plethora of sweet dishes, such as sticky rice cakes.
o Succulent fruits include banana, coconut, the durian fruit (known for its distinctive odour), jackfruit, longan fruit, lychee, pineapple and rambutan fruit (which has translucent white flesh), to name just a few.
o Grilled fish, rolled in lettuce or spinach and dipped into fish sauce.
o Like Vietnam, a must-have accompaniment to every meal is fermented fish paste.
o Rice noodles proliferate and can be bought covered in curry sauce from street vendors.

National drinks:
o Fresh coconut juice.
o Green tea.
o Rice wine.
o The local beer is called Angkor.
o The most popular, and refreshing, Khmer drink is soda water with a squeeze of lemon.

Legal drinking age: There are no age restrictions.

Tipping: Tips are appreciated in hotels and restaurants where no service charge has been added, and by tour guides.

Nightlife
The nightlife in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and to a lesser extent in Sihanoukville, is pretty vibrant, mainly because of the large number of visitors and expat residents. There are bars and restaurants but very few clubs and live music venues. Bars and restaurants range from dingy, smoky bars to upmarket cocktail bars and elegant restaurants.

The major hotels offer entertainment, and weekly Apsara dance performances are often held from November to March in some hotel gardens, mainly in Siem Reap. The Holiday International Hotel in Phnom Penh has a popular nightclub, the Manhattan Club. Gambling is legal in Cambodia and there are several casinos in Sihanoukville and on the border with Thailand.

Shopping
Cambodian artisans are very skilled and there is no shortage of articles to buy. Unique to Cambodia is the krama, a checked scarf made of cotton or silk. Silk is still handwoven in Cambodia and is a 'must buy' either as lengths of material or in the form of scarves, bags or purses. Silver boxes are traditional souvenirs, many in the shape of animals, which were either used in ceremonies or to hold betel leaves. Visitors are advised that there are strict controls on the export of antiques - and stone carvings in particular.

The markets in Cambodia are always a great source of souvenirs. Try the Central Market, in Phnom Penh, which is well worth a visit as it sells clothes, gifts and gems. Gems are a particularly good buy for small stones, but only spend large amounts if you know what you are buying. The Russian Market (Psar Toul Tom Poung) is crammed with stalls holding a vast selection of bargain souvenirs including clothing, silverware, jewellery, silk, bags, DVDs, CDs and ceramics, as is the Old Market in Siem Reap. Bargaining is expected in the markets, which are open daily from around 0700 to 1700 hours. Look out for shops selling handicrafts to raise money for disadvantaged Cambodians.

Shopping hours: Daily 0800-2000.

Environment
Climate
Tropical monsoon climate. Monsoon season is from May to November. The most pleasant season is the dry season, from November/December to April. In the north, winters can be colder, while throughout most of the country temperatures remain fairly constant. There is often seasonal flooding in Phnom Penh and the rest of Cambodia in late July and early August; travel may be disrupted.
Required Clothing
Lightweight clothing is worn all year. Rainwear is essential during the rainy season.

Cambodia shares borders in the north with Laos and Thailand, in the east with Vietnam and in the southwest with the Gulf of Thailand. The landscape comprises tropical rainforest and fertile cultivated land traversed by many rivers. In the northeast and southeast areas rise highlands. The capital is located at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers. The latter flows from a large inland lake, also called Tonle Sap, situated in the centre of the country. There are numerous offshore islands along the southwest coast.

Money

Currency
Riel (KHR; symbol CR). Notes are in denominations of CR100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100.

Currency Exchange
US Dollars are widely accepted and exchanged as are Thai Baht close to the Thai border, but other currencies are generally only recognised at banks. There is no need to change money into Riels.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Credit cards are now more widely accepted in upmarket hotels, shops and restaurants catering to visitors. There are ATMs in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. It is always best to carry cash (US Dollars if necessary) in small denominations.

Traveller's Cheques
Limited acceptance. Traveller's cheques are generally not recommended. Traveller's cheques in US Dollars can be changed at banks and some hotels, but can be difficult to change outside major cities.

Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0800-1500. Some banks are open on Saturdays until 1200.

Duty Free

The following goods may be imported into Cambodia without incurring customs duty:
o 200 cigarettes or equivalent in tobacco.
o Reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.

Note: Currency must be declared.

Traveller's Guide

Passports
Passport valid for at least four months after date of return from Cambodia required.

Visas
Required.

Note: Visitors arriving by air can obtain a visa for stays of up to 30 days on arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, Phnom Penh or Siem Reap International Airport, Angkor. Visas are also available from Immigration at the border posts of Bavet, Poi Pet and Koh Kong. Visitors are advised to check current situation before travelling. E-Visas are only valid for entry via Phnom Penh International Airport, Phnom Penh or Siem Reap International Airport, Angkor.

Visa Note
Applications by post will only be accepted through a recognised visa courier. For further details, contact the nearest consulate (or consular section of embassy).

Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist (single-entry): £15 (£30 for express); Business (single-entry): £25 (£40 for express); Transit: £10 (£20 for express); E-Visa: additional US$5. Express visas are issued within 24 hours.

Validity
All visas are valid for a one month period, and visas issued by the embassy must be used within three months of date of issue. Extensions of up to one extra month for Tourist visas or six or 12 months for Business visas (which can be multiple) may be granted by the Ministry of the Interior at the Immigration Office in Phnom Penh.

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section of embassy); see Contact Addresses.

Visitors can also apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa) online through the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (website: www.mfaic.gov.kh). At present, visitors travelling on an e-Visa must enter Cambodia at either Phnom Penh International Airport or Siem Reap International Airport. Tourists on package tours will normally have their visas arranged by the tour operator.

Working Days Required
Five from day of receipt of application form. Express visas are issued within 24 hours. E-Visas are issued within three working days; the visa is delivered electronically to the applicant's mailbox.

Contact Addresses

Ministry of Tourism
3 Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh 12258, Cambodia
Tel: (23) 211 593 or 222 409.
Website: www.mot.gov.kh

Royal Embassy of Cambodia in the UK
28-32 Wellington Road, St John's Wood, London NW8 9SP, UK
Tel: (020) 7483 9063 or 9064 (consular section).
Website: www.cambodianembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230 (visa section).

Royal Embassy of Cambodia in the USA
4530 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, USA
Tel: (202) 726 7742.
Website: www.embassyofcambodia.org

Health Care
Health insurance, including emergency evacuation, is absolutely essential. Doctors and hospitals expect cash payments for any medical treatment. The cost of medical evacuation is high. The hospital in Phnom Penh is reliable. It is suggested that any visitors bring adequate supplies of any essential personal medication, since that medication may not be available in Cambodia.
Note * A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travellers arriving within 10 days from infected areas.

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