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Tourist Information

Crossing the border at Aranyaprathet

To reach Siem Reap from Bangkok or anywhere in Thai Land You can take either airplane or bus. The bus is very cheap, the ticket is only a few 100-s of Thai Bath The road from the border to Siem Reap is under construction for the next years - so the trip will take some (maybe also exciting) hours...Please take notice, that the bus ticket back is more expensive If you travel (by bus) from Thailand to Siem Reap/Cambodia, don't change money at Aranyaprathet or Poipet border! If you do so, you will get very bad rates. Some guides there will push you to do it but it's not necessary! You can use Thai Bath or US Dollar everywhere in Cambodia And we have ATM machines and international banks too It is also possible to change EURO to US Dollars - the rates are not so bad here...and You will need a lot of small (1) Dollar bills...Another way if you only get the bus ticket from Thai Land to Poipet border and you want faster you all so can get the taxi (car) it take around three hours it costs $35 per taxi and it can take till 4 persons the staffs of association they try to charge you more but do not pay more than that you just walk away to find the privet taxi around there than they will agree with $35 price,

P.S because the road under contraction if you could better to came bye fly.

Siem Reap

1. Background
Cambodia is the successor-state of the mighty Khmer empire during the Angkor peroid from 9th to 10th centuries, it ruled much of what is now Vietname, Laos and Thailand. the grandeur of the khmer civilization and Khmer history known according to the inscription and Chinese emissary Zhou Daguan who arrived in 1296 and described the splendour of Angkor Thom city with the customs of living people.

Among the achievements of Khmer civilization, Angkor Wat is the greatest temple of thousand temples in the Khmer structure remaining at the historical site in south-east Asia. There is no other that matches the grandeur of this ancient complex.

Unfortunatly, the kingdom of cambodia, later, had diminished power and had to give up the capital city because invasion of neighboring countries and interior conflict religions. The capital city was moved to Phnom Penh, the old city became resident of wide animals and the temples were invaded by trees.

In 1863,the French began control Cambodia for many years. later, Cambodia was given independence from French in 09/ Nov/1953. Before the independence, King Shihanouk traveled to many countries to campaign for international support for his country’s independence.

In the meantime, the conflicts between the army and leftist rebels had become more serious during 1969 and Shihanouk political position had greatly deteriorated. In much 1970 while Shihanouk was on a trip to France, General Lon Nol with his followers deposed him as chief of the state . the new government had became unpopular.

During the next few years , from 1970-1975,theKhmer Rouge came to play a dominant role in trying to overthrow the Lon Nol regime. Just a few years , after the Khmer Rouge came to power the entire population of Capital and provincial towns , including everyone in the hospitals , were forced to march out to the country side. they were placed in mobile work teams to do slave labor-preparing the fields, digging irrigation canals. they worked for 12to 15 hours a day, the advent of Khmer Rouge rule was proclaimed "year zero". The Khmer Rouge was supported by China, which included providing aid and advisers. Cambodia was cut off from the outside world.

In 7of January 1979, Vietnam overthrown the Khmer Rouge, because hundreds of Vietnamese civilians was killed by Khmer Rouge. the Vietnam installed new government led by two former Khmer Rouge officers, Hun Sen who escaped to Vietnam in 1977 and Heng Samrin who had done the same in 1978 .

In year 1989, Vietnem suffered from economic woes and eager to ended it’s international isolation, announced that it had withdrawn all of it’s troops from cambodia. Diplomatic efforts to end the civil war began to be bear fruit in September 1990 when a plan agreed upon in paris by the five permanent members of UN security council.

Meanwhile the united nations transitional Authority in cambodia( UNTAC) had to supervise the administration of the country and establish an atmosphere in which free election could take place. After the election in 1993, democracy and human rights began to be established in the country. According to government-sponsored amnesty programs, the most of Khmer Rouge army had joined up with government to end the civil war in cambodia. they returned to live with their famileis after the election on 25th May 1993which organized by UNTAC. the situation in the country is getting better and better, the tourists start coming to visit Angkor Wat more and more every years.

2. Population and people
The population census, carried out in 1998, put the population of the country at 11,426,223. The largest population is in Phnom Penh city with a population of about one million. The most populated province is also the largest- Kompong Cham and other provinces along lowland areas of the Tonle Sap and Mekong river. Those people are farmers, fishermen and businessmen , whereas highland areas have a smaller population –Mondulkiri and Rattanakiri with some of hill tribes.Cambodians are mixed with ethnicity of Chinese, Cham, Vietnamese and minorities

3. The seasons
The two main seasons consisting in Cambodia are dry and wet seasons, Six months apart, the raining season begins from May to October. This time is not so bad to visit because it doesn’t rain for long each day. The trees are green, even the jungle around the temple, Angkor Wat is surrounded by lush foliage and the moat is full of water. The dry season is from November to April. But, the beginning of the dry season in November, December and January, the weather in the morning is a little bit cool. It is a favorite time for all visitors.

4. Post and communication
Now, post is routed by Air through Bangkok which makes Cambodia a much more reliable place from which to send mail or parcels. The telephone connection with the outside world has also improved immensely, although they are still not cheap, calling within Cambodia from a public phone is cheaper then a hand phone "500Riel per minute, but oversea calls can be found at $4 per minute somewhere in the town. The postal rate is 2300 Riel per postal.

5. E-mail and Internet access
The computer usage is developing in Cambodia, Internet shops or Cafés are growing up along the main streets, especially in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Angkor. However the cost of using internet is not so cheap as Bangkok or Hochiminh city of Vietnam because of the usage of the satellite network from telephone lines, though using in Phnom Penh is cheaper than in Siem Reap. If you are carrying a portable computer and want your own connection to a saver, Camnet operates out of a building in the post office complex in Phnom Penh. The prices are expensive by international standards, if you are using a mobile phone from remote areas the connections can be poor.

6. Money and currency
Cambodia‘s currency is Riel, In the year 2001, the rate is $1 = 3900 Riel. Some would say it’s first is US dollar which is accepted everywhere, but Riel is second, though your change will be returned in Riel. In the west of Cambodia bordering Thailand, the Thai "bath" is also accepted. If you have enough cash, you will never use the bank because you can change small amounts of foreign currency for Riel at exchange shops. Hardened travelers argue that your trip ends up being slightly more expensive, if you rely on US dollars rather than Riel . But in reality, there is a little difference. Traveler cheques can be used in Phnom Penh and provinces- Siem Reap, Shihanouk Ville and Battembang…Perhaps it’s best to exchang money before entering to Cambodia. It is best having traveler cheques in US dollars, though it ‘s also possible to change traveler cheques at private exchange shops.Credit card or Visa card: Using these in Cambodia are difficult, except only for top hotel and major purchases such as Air line ticket, though cash advances on credit cards are available in Pnom Penh, Siem Reap,or Shihanouk ville, but exchange are high with banks, a minimum charge is US$ 10 and often a percentage charge on top of that. In Siem Reap, credit cards can be change at Thai bank "Cambodia Commercial Bank" and a few others , but note that, on Saturday and Sunday , they are closed. itwill be difficult to exchange on the weekends.

7.Food and Drink
Cambodiafood is related to their neighbor ‘s foods – Thailand, Laos and to lesser extreme Vietnam. The overall consensus is that Khmer cooking is like Thai without the spices. Although, there are some local dishes like amocfish , khmercurry, Happy chicken soup-unique to Cambodia. These can be found at the Popular Guest House in Siem Reap Angkor Cambodia. Amocfish is made as soup mixed coconut milk with fresh fish taken from Tonle Sap lake. The national beer of Cambodia is Angkor Beer, which is produced in ShihanoukVille. beside, the many kinds of beers were imported from oversea such as Sanmiguiel beer, Tiger beer Heineken beer, Anchor beer…, However, Angkor beer has become more popular among tourists and the local people and also exported to Canada and Japan. A big bottle of Angkor beer can cost US$ 1.7 at Popular Guest House, some big hotels are more expensive.

8. Passport and Visa
Passports are important to pass through any country, but you need to make sure that it’s valid for at least six months beyond the end of your trip. Most countries will not issue a Visa, if you have less than six months. It’s important to make sure that there is enough spaces left in your passport. It’s better to make a photocopy and keep it separate from your passportFor most nationalities, Visa for Cambodia can be received at the international airport. costing US$20 for a month and US$25 for business Visa. If you are coming by crossing the border of Thailand or Vietman, a Visa can be obtained in Bangkok or Ho chi minh city before reaching the border. You must have Moc bai as an exit point on your Vietnam Visa.

9. The Border
Crossing border of Cambodia and Thailand is interesting among backpackers. The two main international borders have been opened officially in a few years ago. But, it can be terrible because of the condition of the roads.
From BKK
Travelers can reach Siem Reap by crossing Poipet (Border), Sisophon, or via Sisophon, Battembang and take the boat to Siem Reap in next day.
From BKK passing the border
then Koh Kong ,SihanoukVill ,Phnom Penh and take a boat to Siem Reap. Crossing the border of Cambodia and Vietnam is easier than above. The two international borders have been used as exit for business and it is also impressive among tourists. The high way is under construction after it was destroyed by flood. Though, MocBai (border) is most common for travelers. If you are coming in first time, it ‘s better to contact "Shin Coffe" which is big agency in Ho Chiminh city in Viemnam that runs minibus with Capitol Tour in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Capitol Tour is a big agency in Phnom Penh, run with hotel and restaurant. It ‘s a meeting point for travelers and can provide tours for sight seeing around Phnom Penh and can also arrange your destination trip to Siem Reap, SihanoukVill, Vietnam, Thailand.