Cambodia

Quick Facts

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Capital

Phnom Penh

Population

12,500,000

Government

Multiparty democracy under constitutional monarchy

Religions

Buddhism

Languages

Khmer, French, English

Calling Code

+855

Nationality

Cambodian

Local name

Kampuchea

Introduction

Streets of Phnom Penh

© All Rights Reserved vegasmike6

Travellers to Cambodia will be richly rewarded by a little research into the country's recent history. Civil war, genocide and Western injustice are of central importance to contemporary Cambodia. Hostilities ended in the mid 1990s but the country continues to struggle to recover from the previous 20 years of violence. War has ceased but the power vacuum has quickly been replaced by a political system recognised as one of the most corrupt in the World.

Tourists are returning in large numbers, flocking to Angkor, a stunning complex of Buddhist monasteries uncovered in the heart of Cambodia's jungle. A visit to Phnom Penh, the nation's capital and best way to understand the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, is a must for all travellers. Risk of violent crime is low but travellers to much of the country must be always vigilent for landmine risk. With an estimated 6 million unexploded devices Cambodia is the most heavily mined area of the world not at war.

Brief history

Cambodian history is a shameful blemish on the records of powerful Western states and the United Nations. Heavy bombing of the Eastern half of Cambodia by American forces throughout the US/Vietnam war provided a rallying point for the Communist Khmer Rouge forces in defeating the US backed Lon Nol Government. The West's complete failure to then intervene to stop the horrible atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge in the latter half of the 1970s coupled with active support of the Khmer Rouge in forming a resistance to the Vietnamese caused incalculable damage to the country. It is somewhat ironic, in fact, that the nation's relief from Khmer rule came from communist Vietnam - a nation perceived as a threat to the West in the 1970s.

Geography

Located between latitude 10-15 and Longitude 102 - 108 Cambodia is bordered by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and the Gulf of Thailand. The country has a topography somewhat like a frying pan with a flat central river basin of young alluvial deposits and highlands defining the borders. Between lake Tonle Sap lake and the Gulf of Thailand lie the Cardamon Mountains rising to over 1800m. To the North of the central plain lie the Dangrek Mountains at around 500m and the to the NorthEast, the fertile and volcanic Rattanak Kirri Plateau.

The Mekong river system and lake Tonle Sap dominate the lowland regions with an annual flood proving rich agricultural lands and freshwater fishing grounds. Joined to the Mekong by the unique Tonle sap river, which reverses direction of flow twice a year, is the largest fresh water lake in SouthEast Asia: lake Tonle Sap. The flooding of the Mekong following seasonal melting of the Himalaya forces water into the lake which grows from around 3000km2 to 10000km2.

Cambodia shares international borders with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. It is possible to cross overland with all of Cambodia's neighbors.

Regions

• Phnom Penh and surrounds
• Western Cambodia is home to the country's most famous attraction, Angkor Wat
• Southern Cambodia includes the beach towns of Sihanoukville and Kep.
• Northeastern Cambodia - see the Irrawaddy Dolphins in Kratie or swim in the volcanic lake at Ban Lung.

Cities

• Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and has many nice sites.
• Battambang
• Sihanoukville is the gateway to the beaches of Cambodia.
• Kampot is a charming fishing village on the coast near Sihanoukville, where many drop by to explore the nearby Bokor Hill Station
• Koh Kong
• Siem Reap is the jumping point to reach Cambodia's claim to fame Angkor.
• Kratié
• Prey Veng

Sights and Activities

• Angkor - a collection of over 1000 temples including the highlight, Angkor Wat

Events and Festivals

Weather

Dominated by the wet SW monsoon from May to October and the dry NE monsoon from November to April. Cambodia is constantly hot and humid.

Getting There

By Plane

Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) is near the capital. Airlines serving the country are Royal Khmer Airlines from Seoul and Kuala Lumpur, Siem Reap Airways to and from Bangkok and Hong Kong. Other airlines are mainly the Asian ones of Malaysia, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. Air Asia flies to and from Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (REP) has about the same number of flights to the same destinations.

By Train

It's not possible to travel by train between Cambodia and the neighbouring countries directly.

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Travelling by boat crossing the border with Thailand is possible daily with high frequency.

Getting Around

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Red tape

Citizens of Laos, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore don't have to get a visa to enter Cambodia.

For everyone else, eVisas for Cambodia are available to citizens of pretty much any country.^[1] The eVisa permits a single entry and stay of between 24 hours and 30 days. It costs $25 (USD). The visa takes three days to be processed and is accepted at both major airports (Phnom Penh and Siem Riep), the Cham Yeam and Poi Pet border crossings from Thailand and the Bavat border point between Cambodia and Vietnam.^[1]

It is also possible to obtain a visa on arrival at selected ports between Cambodia and Thailand (Cham Yeam, Poi Pet and O’Smach) and Vietnam (Bavet and Kha Orm Sam Nor), as well as both major airports.^[2] Visas cost $25 (USD), though visitors are advised to be wary of border officials trying to overcharge them by making them pay in Thai baht. To avoid getting overcharged, try following this Travellerspoint member's advice:

It is not easy to pay the official rate, but it can be done. You have to be out of baht and repeatedly point out the fee is $20.

vegasmike6^[3]

Money

Official currency is the riel, the de facto official rate (as in Jan 2007) being 4,000 riels to the US dollar. The US dollar is accepted virtually everywhere, so you could well hand over dollars and get change in riels according to the above rate.

Work

Volunteer

SAGE Foundation schools near Siem Reap (for Angkor Wat) welcome offers of volunteer help for one week or longer.

• Especially needed are native English speakers to teach or assist (formal teacher trained or not).
• With the schools in recess until October we are also seeking willing hands to help decorate/renovate some of the classrooms.

A total of around 1400 children are supported through these schools, many of whom would otherwise have few educational opportunities in this poor rural area. No fees are charged for this volunteer work but participants must be prepared to cover their own living expenses in Siem Reap and daily travel to and from the schools (43km).

Please contact Andy or Emily through the Asia forum.

Study

Language

Khmer 95%, English, French, Minority languages.
Many of the younger people in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have at least a grasp of English

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

Post