GETTING HERE

Overview - Most major airlines can arrange connecting flights into Cambodia. Bangkok is the easiest place to pick up a flight to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Flights to the capital also fly out of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane and Guangzhou. A international airport is 9km (5 miles) north of Siem Reap. A taxi to the city centre costs around US$8, and Tuk Tuks charge US$2 or so per passenger.

MONEY & VISA

Currency
The local currency is riel. US Dollar is readily used for most transactions.
ATMs are also available in many locations. Exchange rate is US$1 : 4000 Reil

Visas
A one-month visa, available on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, costs US$25 for a tourist visa.

Departure Tax
Costs US$25 at international airport.

CLIMATE & WEATHER

From December to April the climate in Cambodia is at its driest with abundant sunshine and temperatures often range from 30 - 40ºC (105ºF) in April, the hottest month.
The humid south western monsoon from May to October sees rain fall mostly in the afternoon, accounting for 70% - 80% of annual rainfall.
The temperatures around this time can range from 26 -30ºC mark (around 76 - 88ºF) and this is an excellent time to be in Cambodia.
Many of the temples have water features which are full during this time.

CULTURE & HISTORY

Pre 20th Century History
Very little is known about prehistoric Cambodia, although archeological evidence has established that prior to 1000 BC Cambodians subsisted on a diet of fish and rice and lived in houses on stilts, as they still do today.
From the 1st to the 6th centuries, much of Cambodia belonged to the southeast Asian kingdom of Funan, which played a vital role in developing the political institutions, culture and art of later Khmer states. However, it was the Angkorian era, beginning in the 8th century, that really transformed the kingdom into an artistic and religious power.

The Thai kingdom of Ayudhya sacked Angkor in 1431, leaving the Khmers plagued by dynastic rivalries and continual warfare with the Thais for a century and a half.
The Spanish and Portuguese also played a part in these wars until resentment of their power led to the massacre of the Spanish garrison at Phnom Penh in 1599. A series of weak kings ruled from 1600 until the French arrived in 1863. After some gunboat diplomacy and the signing of a treaty of protectorate in 1863, the French went on to force King Norodom to sign another treaty, this time turning his country into a virtual colony in 1884.

Recent History
Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1978, forcing the Khmer Rouge to flee to the relative sanctuary of the jungles along the Thai border. From there, they conducted a guerilla war against the Vietnamese-backed government throughout the late 1970s and 80s.

Future stability is tied to improving the country's long-suffering economy, and answering the troubled question of royal succession. Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party won elections in 2003, but political stalemate lasted until June 2004, when Hun Sen found a coalition partner and could resume his prime ministership.
The ongoing political upheavels continue to this day.

CAMBODIA - FAST FACTS

Kingdom of Cambodia
Capital City - Phnom Penh
Area - 181,035 sq km (69,898 sq miles)
Population - 14,000,000
Time Zone - GMT/UTC +7hrs
Languages - Khmer (official), English (other), French (other)
Religion - Buddhist, Cham Muslim and Roman Catholic
Electricity - 230V 50HzHz. Use 2 pin(round) Electric Plugs
Country Dialing Code (+855)

KHMER FOR TRAVELLERS