CAMBODIA PRACTICALITIES

Key Fact and Figures

Offical Name: Kingdom of Cambodia

Area: 181,035 square kilometers

Ethnic Group: Khmers 90% (Khmers Islam), Hilltribes, Chinese, Vietnamese

Population: 13 million

Religion: Theravada Buddhism: official religion; Islam (500,000); Christianity (60,000)

Provinces: 2

Departure Tax

USD 25 per outgoing international passenger for flights from Phnom Penh

USD 25 per outgoing international passenger for flights from Siem Reap

USD 06 per outgoing domestic passenger for flights from Phnom Penh

USD 06 per outgoing domestic passenger for flights from all other domestic airports

Climate

Cambodia can be visited throughout the year. However those planning to travel extensively by road should avoid the last two months of the rainy season when some countryside roads may be impassable.

The climate is tropical and distinguished by three major seasons. The most pleasant season is the dry season from November to March during which temperatures are cooler (average 20-28 c). The hot season lasts from April to May (average temperatures 30-35 c) and from June to early October is the rainy season, which we here like to call the Green Season, during which temperatures are relatively cool (average 25-30 c). At this time of year it rarely rains in the morning: most precipitation comes in the afternoon and even then sporadically. Rainfall varies considerably from area to area. Whereas the seaward slopes of the south-west highlands (Kompong Som and Kampot provinces) receive more than 5,000 mm of rain per annum, the central lowlands average only about 1,400 mm.

Currency and Exchange

The local currency is the Riel, however, in Phnom Penh and most major tourist destinations, almost all goods and services are calculated and paid for in the US currency. The rate of exchange (at time of printing) is approximately 4,000.- Riels to one U.S. Dollar. Credit cards, traveler’s checks and currencies other than U.S. Dollars are accepted only at a few places such as major hotels, at some foreigner-owned restaurants and at some souvenir shops. It is best to carry U.S. Dollars in small denominations. Automatic Teller Machine Service (ATM) is offered by ANZ Royal Bank and Canadia Bank. ATMs accept all major credit cards and can be found at various places in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Customs

Regulations are relaxed and simple formalities should be observed when entering the country. Every traveler has to complete a customs declaration form during the arrival flight and must submit it on arrival.

Any amount of foreign currency can be brought into Cambodia, but the amount of Cambodian currency must not exceed 100.000 Riels per person. Tourist and non-resident carrying over USD 10.000 in cash or its equivalent must declare so in order to ensure they will be allowed to exit the country with that amount.

Food

Khmer cuisine is closely related to those in neighboring Thailand and Laos, although it is not as spicy. Curries, stir-fried vegetables, rice, noodles and soups are staples of the Khmer diet. Fresh river fish and shellfish are both abundant and delicious. Western food is provided only in the major cities although other Asian dishes are widely available. Cambodia is well known in the region for its Prahok, a strong, fermented fish paste used in a variety of traditional dishes. Tap water should never be drunk. Bottled mineral water and bottled drinking water are available in all reputable hotels and restaurants. Similarly, salad and fruit served at these establishments are safe.

All Diethelm tours are based on full board arrangements. For full-day excursions, picnic lunch can be provided if no adequate restaurants are available.

General Advice

Drink lots of water. Purified, bottled water is available everywhere. Never drink tap water.

Use an insect repellent against mosquitoes. It is the only way to be sure of protection against mosquito-borne diseases.

Since Cambodia has a hot and humid tropical climate, casual and lightweight clothing is best. Clothing made from natural fibers is the best option. A jacket might be needed on cool winter evenings or in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning.

A hat and high-factor sun block is advisable as protection against the hot sun when sightseeing outdoors.

When visiting temples or pagodas, including those of the Angkor complex, shorts and T-shirts are acceptable. Shoes ( as well as hats) are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver Pagoda, which is within the Royal Palace grounds, visitors are asked to dress more formally. Gentlemen are required to wear long trousers and ladies should wear long trousers or long skirts.

Color standard film (such as Kodak, Konika or Fuji), slide film and video film and camera batteries are widely available. Photos are inexpensive to process in the country. Any specialized photo or video equipment should be brought with you. Photography and video in airports, railway stations and near any military installations is forbidden and discretion should be used when photographing people, particularly monks and those in hill tribes.

Health

Although no vaccinations are officially required for entry to Cambodia, they are highly encouraged. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding protection against malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B. Any essential medications should be brought with you as there is no guarantee that they will be available in Cambodia.

Language

Khmer is the official language. It is inherited from the Mon-Khmer family and enriched by the Indian Pali and the Sanskrit languages. There are various dialects spoken in areas outside Phnom Penh.

English is the second language, followed by French, even though they are not widely spoken except in the capital.

Local Time

Cambodia runs at GMT +7 hours, the same time zone as its neighbors Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

Passport/Visa Information

Immigration formalities are quicker when travelers already possess their visa. However, Cambodia has very liberal visa regulations. For USD 20.- all travelers can obtain a tourist visa valid for 30 days upon arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, in Aranyaprathet (Poipet border crossing), at the Bavet / Moc Bai border crossing coming from Ho Chi Minh City, at Kaom Samnor Mekong River, at Tunloap (Takeo) / Tinh Bien (Chau Doc), at Trapeang Plong (Kampong Cham) / Xa Mat (Tay Ninh) crossing points between Vietnam and Cambodia, at Trat (Hat Lek border crossing) coming from Thailand. At Cham Yeam (Koh Kong) / Hat Lek (Trat) coming from Thailand, at the border crossing of Chrok Prom (Pailin), at Poipet (Battambang province), also in the Battambang province at the border crossing opposite Ban Laem and at O’Smach in the Anlong Veng district in Odor Mean Chey province. A passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the visit and one passport photo are needed. For travelers joining a Diethelm Cambodia tour departing from Bangkok, visas can be arranged there within two working days. Every traveler has to complete an immigration and a customs form during the arrival flight or upon arrival.

Visitors arriving overland from Laos (Veun Kham border crossing, not official yet) must obtain a visa prior to reaching the Cambodian border.

As of April 2006 visitors can apply for a tourist visa on the internet. Currently on-line visa are issued for arrivals at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports only. For detailed information, terms and conditions please visit the web-site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation: http://evisa.mfaic.com.kh/

Communication

Post is now routed by air through Bangkok, which makes sending mail and parcels from Cambodia much more reliable than in the past. Most hotels have IDD lines, but calls and faxes are very expensive with the average cost of a call to Australia, Europe and USA approximately USD 7.- per minute. Public phones that use pre-paid phone cards are common in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Phone cards can be purchased at the post office, most hotels and supermarkets.

Security Notice

After years of political and social upheaval, Cambodia now enjoys relative stability. Continuing efforts are made to reconstruct the country from decades of war, to upgrade the infrastructure (roads, bridges, airports etc) and to ensure security. Cambodia is now once again safe for travel.

Shopping

There are a wide variety of items available for purchase in Cambodia. The country was once well known for its superior silk weaving, metal work and woodcarving. After decades of neglect, many of these arts are being revived. Visitors can find silver items, jewelry, gems, colorful cloth for sarong and hols (variegated silks), wood carving, paper maché masks, stone copies of ancient Khmer art, brass and bronze figurines and oil paintings in the different markets and shops on main avenues. The traditional clothing for both men and women is the krama, a long, narrow checked silk or cotton cloth available in most markets and shops. Jewelry is generally not up to international standards for design and workmanship and buyers should use caution when purchasing gold and gems, many gems are fake and we recommend not to follow anybody’s recommendations. The export of antiques is subject to approval of the Ministry of Culture. Bargaining is essential for all souvenirs shopping, if travelers are to obtain reasonable prices.

Tipping

Tipping is not obligatory in Cambodia, but is nonetheless widely practiced in hotels and restaurants in addition to the service charges shown on bills. (Porters, 1,000 Riels per bag.)