About Cambodia

 

Welcome to Cambodia

Introduction 

Welcome to the Kingdom of Cambodia: a country of immense cultural and historical contrasts. The ancient Khmer Empire ruled much of Southeast Asia for centuries and gave Angkor Wat to the world. Its artistic and architectural influences can still be seen in the corresponding forms of its regional neighbors. However, for four years in the late 1970s Cambodia came under the control of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime and fell victim to a failed political ideal that left over two million of the nation’s citizens dead from disease, malnutrition and persecution.

 

Many people only know of Cambodia in terms of these two periods but there is far more to this country than ancient temples and past tragedies. Its topography and climate are as varied as its culture. The Tonle Sap Lake at the heart of Cambodia is one of the richest freshwater fishing grounds in the world and is home to a variety of migratory birds. Cambodia’s mountain and jungle areas abound with rare and beautiful flora and fauna. In these regions animism is still practiced and indigenous, tribal peoples continue to follow a centuries-old way of life.

Cambodia has its own unique and much underrated cuisine and produces delicious, organic meat and fruit. The burgeoning tourist industry has brought relative wealth to some Provinces while in others the life of Cambodia’s agricultural workers has changed little in a millennium. But ask any repeat visitors to the country what keeps bringing them back and they will all tell you the same thing: it is the people. The Khmer people have a warmth, strength and spirituality that are a surprise and delight to most visitors. There seems to be an unquenchable spirit, humor and gentle pride in most Cambodians that perhaps explains how they have succeeded in surviving years of political experimentation and civil war.

We welcome you to a most extraordinary country – Cambodia

Facts about Cambodia
Country Name : Kingdom of Cambodia
Motto : Nation-Religion-King
Capital : Phnom Penh
Population : 13.1 million
Time : GMT+7hours
Religion : 95% Theravada Buddhism
Currency : Riel (US$1=4000R)
Voltage : 220v/50Hz
International Airports : Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
Languages : Khmer, English and French
Ethnic Groups : Khmer, Chinese, Islam, Hill-tribes (Northeast), Vietnamese

Climate

Cambodia has two distinct seasons. The rainy season runs from May to October. Temperatures during this time can reach 40 degrees Celsius with accompanying high humidity. The rains bring on lush vegetation and fill the rice paddies with water, creating the classic Cambodian landscape.

The dry season runs from November to April. Temperatures drop to around 20 degrees Celsius at Christmas but gradually climb over the following months to reach a peak of over 40 degrees Celsius by late April. Humidity is noticeably lower during the dry season and the landscape is characterized by yellows and browns. The most comfortable period for westerners to visit Cambodia is November to January when temperatures and humidity are lower.

Working Hours

Hours of operation in Cambodia are somewhat different than in other countries. Cambodians typically take long lunches, and the opening hours for government offices and some business offices are usually from 7.30am to 11.30am, and then from 1.30pm to 5.30pm. If you show up at an office at 1pm for example, you may find no one there.

Travel to Cambodia

Please note the information below is current as of the date of publication. However, immigration procedures and travel conditions can change. Always verify such details before you travel.

Visas

Visas are required for most nationalities. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your visit and have a whole blank page for the visa sticker. Thirty (30) day visas are available upon arrival at all main border crossings and airports. The official visa fee is $20 for a Tourist Visa and $25 for a Business Visa. The visa application form and one passport photo are required. Vaccination certificates are NOT required, with the exception of inoculation against ‘yellow fever’ if you are arriving from a country where ‘ yellow fever’ is prevalent.You can apply for tourist visas on-line at ‘http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh‘.

Border Crossings

Cambodia shares international borders with Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

Thailand: Koh Kong (Cham Yeam), Oddar Meanchey (Chorm), Kamrieng-Battambang (Daung), Poi Pet (Banteay Meanchey), Pailin (Prom), Oddar Meanchey (O Smach).

Cambodian visas and Thai transit visas available. The Thai border crossing at Poipet is the closest to Siem Reap, and the Koh Kong crossing is closest to Sihanoukville. At Thai border crossings, Cambodian Immigration charges 1,000 Baht for a Tourist Visa, and 1500 Baht for a Business Visa in spite of the sign saying $20 USD. They accept Thai Baht only! Visas may be obtained through the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok. However, it is time consuming and unnecessary.

Vietnam: Bavet (Svay Rieng), Kaoam Samnor (Kandal-Mekong), Takeo (Phnom Den), Kratie (Trapaing Sre) and Oyadao (Le Thanh).

The main border crossings are at Moc Bai and Chau Doc on the Vietnam side. Visas for Cambodia are available, but Vietnam visas are not. Vietnam visas must be obtained at the Vietnam embassy in Phnom Penh, or through an agency, before leaving.

NOTE: Visas for Cambodia may not be available at the new crossings at Phnom Den, Trapeang Phlong and Le Thanh. Check beforehand. Vietnam declared the opening of a new border crossing at Le Thanh in Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands on 15th December 2007. The new crossing allows entry at Oyadao in Ratanakiri Province on the Cambodian side. Further details about this crossing are not available at present.

Laos: Stung Treng (Dong Kralo)

Visas for Cambodia are available at the border, but getting a visa at the embassy in Vientiane may be cheaper. Visas for Laos are NOT available, and must be obtained at the Laotian Embassy in Phnom Penh. It is advisable to check the current border situations with a reliable agency or the Laotian Embassy before crossing.

Bangkok to Siem Reap by Bus
Problems on this route continue to annoy and upset budget travellers. If you arrived here on a ‘cheap’ ticket purchased near the Khao Sarn Road in Bangkok, you are probably aware of the scams and time-wasting that still blight this route into Cambodia. Poipet Immigration is a disgrace and is harmful to the reputation of Cambodia as a tourist destination.

If you know of anyone in Bangkok who is planning to visit Siem Reap on a tour bus from Khao Sarn Road you may wish to pass on the following information and advice and thus help fellow travellers arrive here with a minimum of stress.

Journey Times
hese vary considerably. The overall journey time from Bangkok to Siem Reap is at least 12 hours in the rainy season. Expect to take 4 hours to get to the Thai border with a 1-hour stop at a restaurant in Aranyaprathet. Journey times from Poipet [Cambodia] to Siem Reap are difficult to predict but expect to arrive in Siem Reap between 7.00pm and midnight. Time wasting and poor road conditions account for a lot of the journey time.

Visas
Buy these for around 1000 Bhat from an agency in Bangkok. Visas sold in Aranyaprathet, or at