Fact about Cambodia

Official Name: Kingdom of Cambodia

Tenet: Nation –Religion-King

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Capital City: Phnom Penh

Major Cities: Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Battambang , Kompong Cham.

Climate: Average of 28 degrees centigrade.

Hot season: March – May

Monsoon season: June – October

Cool season: November – February the temperature may be pushed as low as 20c

Clothing: Recommend cool clothing. It is preferable for women to cover their arms and legs, particularly when visiting a temple.

Time: Cambodia is seven hours ahead of GMT, when it is midday in Cambodia it is the previous evening in San Francisco, lam in New York, 5am in London, 6am in France and 3pm in Sydney.

Population: Approximately twelve million (estimation of 2001)

Ethnic groups: Khmer 92%, Khmer Islam, Vietnamese, Chinese, and the rest are Hill tribes represent.

Religion: The official religion is Theravada Buddhism and almost 92% of the population is of this faith. The rest are Muslims, Christians, and others.

Language: The official language is Khmer while the second language (spoken by educated older people) is French, However, in recent years English has gained popularity. Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese are used frequently too.

Electricity: Voltage is 220/50Hz.

Money: Though Riel is the official currency almost every business set their price in US, Dollars and can be exchanged into Riel at an sidewalk money changers at the price US$=4030 Riel (at the publication date December 10, 2010).

Credit cards: Visa, JCB, MasterCard and American Express are the most widely accepted especially at the major hotels and restaurants in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Banks open from 8:00am to 3:30pm, from Monday to Friday; a few are open a half-day on Saturday.

Traveler Cheques: They can be cashed only at a limited number of banks in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Battambang, and Kompong Cham. A minimum pf 2% commission charge to change traveler checks.

Instant Cash Transfers: The Foreign Trade Bank and Cambodia Commercial Bank can arrange reliable money transfers, Cambodia Bank, and Singapore Banking Corporation Bank can operate Instant Cash Transfers through respectively MoneyGram and Western Union.

Flight: To/From Cambodia

Cambodia has two International Airport: Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap Airport, which services visitors to Angkor.

Direct air service to/from Phnom Penh

International: Bangkok, Pattay, Koh Samui, Sukhothai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietiane, Khaosiung, Shanghai, Taipei, and Guangzhou.

Domestic: Battmbang, Koh Kong, Mondulkiri, Rattanakkiri, Siem Reap and Stung Treng.

Overland To/From Cambodia

There are border crossing with all countries that border Cambodia.

Thailand: Hat Lek/Koh Kong (visa available on the arrival for both directions). From Koh Kong, you can continue to Sihanoukville with express boat (US$15 for one trip) and then take air-conditioned bus (US$5 to reach Phnom Penh City).

Poi pet (Khmer) / Aranyaprathet (Thai): visa available on the arrival for both directions. From Bangkok to Poipet, then take taxi to Siem Reap. (US$15) for 5 hours trip.

Vietnam: Bavet (Khmer) / Moc Bai (Vietnam) HCM City from Phnom Penh at the corner Central Market or Chhbar Ampev, market (US$8-22).

Chau Doc (on Mekong River). Visas not available on arrival.

Laos: Voeung Kam (visas not available on arrival). It is possible now to cross in both directions between Stung Treng and Laos at Voeung Khmer on the Mekong River.

Passport with at least four months validity is needed, 30 days visa are available on arrival at the International Airports (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap) and t border crossing with Thailand and Vietnam. Tourist visas: US$20. Business visas: US$25. One or Two 4x6 photo is required. Tourist visas can be extended for one month but only one time. Business visas can be renewed through a travel agency or department for foreigner located opposite Phnom Penh International Airport (023 890 380), Hotline (023 890 890).