The renowned Central Market (New Market) is one of the largest and busiest markets in Phnom Penh, which is most popular for locals and foreigners. Located in the heart of the capital, the renowned large building is designed by French architect. There are a varieties of items on sales such as souvenir gifts, artifacts dated back to French Indochina era, jewelry, household appliances and nearly every thing you can think of.The Toul Tom Pong Market (The Russian Market) is the city’s best source of object dárt. Items for sales including miniature Buddha, various ritual objects and old Indochinese coins. There are also quite a few gold smiths and silversmiths inside the market.
The Olympic market, owned by one of Cambodia’s most powerful tycoon. A great deal of wholesaling is done at the Olympic Market, near the Olympic Stadium. The market was upgraded and reopened in 1994 as the first three-floor covered market in the Kingdom.
Rice and fish are the basic food items among the Khmer people. Famous classical Khmer specialty widely enjoyed up to now are: Nhaom (a popular cuisine comprises of vinegar, dried fish and herb and vegetable); Kor Kor ( normally cooked with fish and a mix of vegetables ); Amok (fish cooked in coconut); Samlor Machu (vinegar soup cooked with fish and mixed with a variety of vegetables). Other dishes cooked with pork, chicken, beef arealso the main diets.
Chinese and Western menus are commonly available in the capita of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
Visitors to Phnom Penh should be aware that armed theft of tourists can occur & is more likely late at night. These are infrequent, isolated incidents & shouldn`t necessarily deter you from sampling Phnom Penh’s extensive nightlife. Simply take just as much money as you need with you. Resident Ex-pats advise carrying a token 10-20$ & to hide any other money / valuables. Once it gets late & quieter, always use motos to get around the city, preferably with a driver you know. You’ll also feel more comfortable if you go out with a group of people from your guest-house.
Cambodia has such an unstable recent history that no-one is ever quite sure what’s around the corner. It is advisable to keep yourself well-informed about current affairs within the country.There are some excellent cheap English & French publications which allow you to do this : English: Cambodia Daily 1200 riel, Phnom Penh Post 3500 riel,fortnightly Bayon Pearnik – free monthly, French : Cambodge Soir, 1500 riel – daily.
The other major information sources are from guest-houses & people, both long-term resident ex-pats & travellers themselves. In Phnom Penh, Capitol GH is a renowned place for info, but now any friendly guest-house area is good for finding out what you need to know.
With regard landmines – There are still many thousands of land-mines & unexploded ordnance in more remote areas of Cambodia. The chances of approaching these areas unknown to you is very small. In rural areas, always seek local advice & don’t stray from that path.
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.
Visitors to Phnom Penh should be aware that armed theft of tourists can occur & is more likely late at night. These are infrequent, isolated incidents & shouldn`t necessarily deter you from sampling Phnom Penh’s extensive nightlife. Simply take just as much money as you need with you. Resident Ex-pats advise carrying a token 10-20$ & to hide any other money / valuables. Once it gets late & quieter, always use motos to get around the city, preferably with a driver you know. You’ll also feel more comfortable if you go out with a group of people from your guest-house.
Cambodia has such an unstable recent history that no-one is ever quite sure what’s around the corner. It is advisable to keep yourself well-informed about current affairs within the country.There are some excellent cheap English & French publications which allow you to do this : English: Cambodia Daily 1200 riel, Phnom Penh Post 3500 riel,fortnightly Bayon Pearnik – free monthly, French : Cambodge Soir, 1500 riel – daily.
The other major information sources are from guest-houses & people, both long-term resident ex-pats & travellers themselves. In Phnom Penh, Capitol GH is a renowned place for info, but now any friendly guest-house area is good for finding out what you need to know.
With regard landmines – There are still many thousands of land-mines & unexploded ordnance in more remote areas of Cambodia. The chances of approaching these areas unknown to you is very small. In rural areas, always seek local advice & don’t stray from that path.
Cambodian currency is Riels, which is circulated in mere form of cash note with tradable denomination commencing from 100; 200; 500; 1000; 2000; 5000; 10000; 20000; 50000; 100000.
Due to high rate of inflation, which is 4000 riels/USD at this time of writing, Cambodian households and business prefer to apply USD cash in the course of daily business. For this reason, it is common to see USD cash is widely accepted for trading all over Cambodia.
Cambodia has its national bank called The National Bank of Cambodia, and several privately-owned banks operating in major cities. Due to a lack of faith, most Cambodian households and business have not applied banking system for check accounts or whatsoever. They have accounts open with the National Bank of Cambodia and with private banks, but this is just in favor of easing necessary Overseas Transfers.
Credit cards and traveler cheques have to be encashed, which can be done with banks in Phnom Penh only, for trading in Cambodia. However, some major hotels or business in Phnom Penh accept credit cards and traveler cheques on condition that compensation charge with rates from 2% up.
Tourists are advised to make use of USD cash for personal petty cash.
On 21 April 2010 the Royal Government of Cambodia informed Diplomatic Missions in Cambodia of new procedures to be followed between foreign and Cambodian citizens who wish to marry in Cambodia. Information on the procedures and the marriage application form can be obtained from the British Embassy in Phnom Penh, or directly from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Certificates of No Impediment and marriage affidavits are issued at the applicant’s request from the British Embassy in Phnom Penh. Approval or refusal for marriage applications between foreign and Cambodian nationals in Cambodia is given by the Royal Government of Cambodia only, and not the Embassy.
Tourist Information
Key Facts
Country: Cambodia
Capital: Phnom Penh
Area: 181,040 sq km
Population: 14 million
Religions: Mainly Buddhist (around 95%)
Languages: Khmer, English gaining popularity among the younger generation with French spoken mostly by the elderly in the main cities.
Time: GMT + 7 hours
Visa Formalities: UK citizens require a visa.
Currency: Riel
Electricity: 230V, 50Hz cycle
Local laws and customs
On 21 April 2010 the Royal Government of Cambodia informed Diplomatic Missions in Cambodia of new procedures to be followed between foreign and Cambodian citizens who wish to marry in Cambodia. Information on the procedures and the marriage application form can be obtained from the British Embassy in Phnom Penh, or directly from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Certificates of No Impediment and marriage affidavits are issued at the applicant’s request from the British Embassy in Phnom Penh.
Approval or refusal for marriage applications between foreign and Cambodian nationals in Cambodia is given by the Royal Government of Cambodia only, and not the Embassy.The sexual abuse of children is a serious crime. The UK and Cambodian authorities are committed to combating travelling child sex offenders. Those arrested and convicted can expect to receive long sentences in a Cambodian prison where facilities are very poor. The UK has no prisoner transfer agreement with Cambodia and those found guilty can expect to serve their full prison term in Cambodia, have their visas revoked and be deported when released. Legislation in the UK, The Sex Offenders Act 1997, can be used in the UK to prosecute those who commit sex offences against children abroad and has been used successfully in cases of British nationals who have committed such offences in Cambodia.
Penalties for drug offences, including those involving Class C, drugs are severe. Prison sentences can be long and served in grim conditions. In addition to the criminal penalties, you should be aware that drugs have been the cause of a number of deaths of travellers in Cambodia. These are suspected to be a result of the high purity, or adulteration by unknown substances, of the drugs involved.
You should not take photographs in or near airports or military bases. You should ask permission before taking pictures of members of the public especially monks and other religious figures. When entering religious and cultural sites it is a courtesy to dress in appropriate clothing. You are expected to remove your shoes when entering temples and private accommodation.
VISA Information
VISA REQUIREMENTS
All visitors to Cambodia must have a visa.
Each applicant must strictly complete one visa application form and submit it together with:
Flight itinerary details.
One passport-size photoghaph.
Passport (valid for at least four months after the date of return from Cambodia
Tourist visa fee: £15.00 GBP. ( Cash/Bank cheque should be payable to the embassy of Cambodia ).
Note: The above is only for information purpose. Visa requirement might be changed by the concerned embassy, hence kindly visit the embassy website or speak to the concerned authority before applying for the visa.
ROYAL EMBASSY OF CAMBODIA
64 Brondesbury Park
Willesden Green
LONDON – NW6 7AT
United Kingdom
Tel : 020-8451 7850
Fax : 020-8451 7594
E-mail: cambodianembassy@btconnect.com
Website: http://www.cambodianembassy.org.uk
Currency
Cambodian currency is Riels, which is circulated in mere form of cash note with tradable denomination commencing from 100; 200; 500; 1000; 2000; 5000; 10000; 20000; 50000; 100000.Due to high rate of inflation, which is 4000 riels/USD at this time of writing, Cambodian households and business prefer to apply USD cash in the course of daily business. For this reason, it is common to see USD cash is widely accepted for trading all over Cambodia.
Cambodia has its national bank called The National Bank of Cambodia, and several privately-owned banks operating in major cities. Due to a lack of faith, most Cambodian households and business have not applied banking system for check accounts or whatsoever. They have accounts open with the National Bank of Cambodia and with private banks, but this is just in favor of easing necessary Overseas Transfers.
Credit cards and traveler cheques have to be encashed, which can be done with banks in Phnom Penh only, for trading in Cambodia. However, some major hotels or business in Phnom Penh accept credit cards and traveler cheques on condition that compensation charge with rates from 2% up.
Tourists are advised to make use of USD cash for personal petty cash.
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.
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.
Safety
Visitors to Phnom Penh should be aware that armed theft of tourists can occur & is more likely late at night. These are infrequent, isolated incidents & shouldn`t necessarily deter you from sampling Phnom Penh’s extensive nightlife. Simply take just as much money as you need with you. Resident Ex-pats advise carrying a token 10-20$ & to hide any other money / valuables. Once it gets late & quieter, always use motos to get around the city, preferably with a driver you know. You’ll also feel more comfortable if you go out with a group of people from your guest-house.
Cambodia has such an unstable recent history that no-one is ever quite sure what’s around the corner. It is advisable to keep yourself well-informed about current affairs within the country.There are some excellent cheap English & French publications which allow you to do this : English: Cambodia Daily 1200 riel, Phnom Penh Post 3500 riel,fortnightly Bayon Pearnik – free monthly, French : Cambodge Soir, 1500 riel – daily.
The other major information sources are from guest-houses & people, both long-term resident ex-pats & travellers themselves. In Phnom Penh, Capitol GH is a renowned place for info, but now any friendly guest-house area is good for finding out what you need to know.
With regard landmines – There are still many thousands of land-mines & unexploded ordnance in more remote areas of Cambodia. The chances of approaching these areas unknown to you is very small. In rural areas, always seek local advice & don’t stray from that path.
Shopping
The renowned Central Market (New Market) is one of the largest and busiest markets in Phnom Penh, which is most popular for locals and foreigners. Located in the heart of the capital, the renowned large building is designed by French architect. There are a varieties of items on sales such as souvenir gifts, artifacts dated back to French Indochina era, jewelry, household appliances and nearly every thing you can think of.
The Toul Tom Pong Market (The Russian Market) is the city’s best source of object dárt. Items for sales including miniature Buddha, various ritual objects and old Indochinese coins. There are also quite a few gold smiths and silversmiths inside the market.
The Olympic market, owned by one of Cambodia’s most powerful tycoon. A great deal of wholesaling is done at the Olympic Market, near the Olympic Stadium. The market was upgraded and reopened in 1994 as the first three-floor covered market in the Kingdom.
Food
Rice and fish are the basic food items among the Khmer people. Famous classical Khmer specialty widely enjoyed up to now are: Nhaom (a popular cuisine comprises of vinegar, dried fish and herb and vegetable); Kor Kor ( normally cooked with fish and a mix of vegetables ); Amok (fish cooked in coconut); Samlor Machu (vinegar soup cooked with fish and mixed with a variety of vegetables). Other dishes cooked with pork, chicken, beef arealso the main diets.
Chinese and Western menus are commonly available in the capita of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
