CAMBODIA: GENERAL INFORMATION
Cambodia Facts:
Country Name : Kingdom of Cambodia
Motto : National-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, Khmer Islam ( Cham ), Hill – tribes (North east), Vietnamese
Climate:
Cambodia has two distinct seasons:
- hot and dry,
- hot and (sometimes) rainy.
The "so called" dry season runs from november to april. The sun is almost shining, temperatuers are between 25 to 35°C, but in april and may, they can reach until 40°C.
The "so called" rainy season runs from May to October, temperaturs go down when the monsoon rains appear. It's not raining all day long, but mostly in the afternoon or in the nighttime. However, the environment is very green in these months.
Visas and Border crossings:
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 available 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.
International airports in Cambodia (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap) normally accept payment for visas in US dollars (only in cash!!).
However, the situation is often different at some of the overland border crossings.
The visa application form and one passport photo are required.
Vaccination certificates ate NOT required, with the exception of proof of Yellow Fever inoculation if you are arriving from a country where Yellow Fever is prevalent.
You can apply for tourist visas on-line at ‘http:// visa.mfaic. gov. kh’.
Border crossings:
Cambodia shares international borders with Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.
Thailand:
Koh Kong (Cham Yeam), Oddar Meanchey (Chorm), Kamtieng-Battambang (Daung),
Poipet (Banteay Meanchey), Pailin (prom), Oddar Meanchey (O Smach) and Anlong Veaeng. Cambodian visas and Thai transit visas available.
The Thai crossing at Poipet is closest to Siem Reap while Koh Kong is closest to Sihanoukville. At these crossings Cambodian Immigration charges 1,000 Baht for a Tourist Visa, accept Thai Baht. Visas are available at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok but getting them there 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 the Vietnam side. Visas for Cambodia are available, but Vietnam visas are not. Vietnam visas must be obtained prior to travelling via the Vietnam embassy in Phnom Penh, or through an agency.
NOTE: Visas for Cambodia may not be available at the new crossings at Phnom Den, Trapeang Phlong and Le Thanh. Check beforehand. The new crossing at Le Thanh in the Central Highlands, allows entry to Oyadao in Ratanakiri Province. Further details about this crossing are not available at present.
Laos:
Stung Treng (Dong Kralo).
Visas for Cambodia are available at the border, but visas for Laotions are NOT and must be obtained at the Laotian Embassy in Phnom Penh.
Bangkok to Siem Reap by Bus
Problems on this route continue to upset budget travellers. If you arrived here on a ‘cheap’ ticket purchased near Khao Sarn road in Bangkok, you are probably aware of the scams and time-wasting that still blight this route.
If you know 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 taravellers arrive here with a minimum of stress.
Journey Times
These vary considerably. The overall journey time from Bangkok to Siem Reap is at least 12 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.
MONEY & BANKING :
U.S. Dollars are the de-facto currency of the country and visitors can pay anywhere in Dollars. However, you should change large bills at banks, hotels or exchange places. Many places will not have change for small purchases. Almost all currencies can be exchanged in the larger cities. The Thai Baht can be used in places near the Thai border.
Banking
There are several national banks where you can change or withdraw money.
Working hours are 8am-3.30pm, Monday to friday.
All banks will accept travelers’ cheques at a 2%-4% commission charge.
Visa, JCB, Master Card and American Express credit cards are all commonly accepted.
To get cash from a credit card, you will need identification (Passport).
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
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 1.30am, 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.
SAFETY
Cambodia is a comparatively safe tourist destination.
The political situation is stable and the Khmer Rouge no longer exist in any organized form.
Land mines have been removed from all tourist destinations but are still a concern in remote areas (that we don't reach in our trips!).