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Background: Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863. Cambodia became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war.

The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the remaining leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed.

Airport Tax: There is an airport tax of US$ 20 upon departure. This tax is usually not included in the price of your airticket, so ensure that you have US$20 spare in cash and per person by the end of your trip which is payable at the airport.

Airport Taxi: We advise you to arrange an airport pick up with the hotel where you will be staying, if however you prefer to go local, then a taxi from Pochentong International Airport (Phnom Penh) will take roughly 15 minutes and cost approximately US$ 7, and from Siem Reap Airport to Siem Reap City roughly 10 minutes and approx. US$ 5.

Language: Khmer is the first language, and English the second, French seems to be fading fast as a language within Cambodia.

Religion: The official religion is Theravada Buddhism, and roughly ninety percent of Khmers follow this religion.

Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%

Weather: Cambodia has a warm / hot tropical climate that is relatively calm and consistent throughout the year. The average temperature is 27 degrees centigrade. There are two seasons, the humid and rainy monsoon season which spans from June to October and the dry season which is from November to May. The coolest period tends to be from December to January.

Natural hazards: Monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts

Social Greetings: Cambodians greet each other with a slight bow and a prayer like gesture called a Sompeah, with the younger or lower ranked person normally initiating the gesture. For foreigners and business handshakes are acceptable.

Public Holidays:
Nov 9 : Independence Day
Jan 1 : International New Year
Jan 7 : Victory over Khmer Rouges
Mar 8 : International Women Day
May 1 : International Labor Day
Jun 18 : Queen’s birthday
Oct 30 – Nov 1 : King’s birthday

Photography: Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installations is forbidden and discretion should be used when photographing people, especially monks.

Currency: Local currency is Cambodia Riels. Denominations are 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100. The US$ are widely used and accepted and it is advisable to bring some with you. Foreign currencies (but we advise you to bring some US$ with you no matter where you are travelling from) can be changed at hotels, airports or markets. Commission is generally not charged at the market moneychangers so they tend to be cheaper, than the alternatives. Thai Bath and Indonesia Ruppiah are used occasionally.

Credit Cards: Some but not all banks in Cambodia accept major credit cards as do some of the hotels. We strongly advise you to check with the hotel where you will be staying at to see if they accept your preferred credit card or not and call your local credit card company for more information.

Banking: Banks are generally open from 8am to 4pm weekdays and from 8am to 12pm on Saturdays.

Country Calling Code: 855

Electricity: Voltage in Cambodia is 220 volts AC, 50HZ.

Water: Do not drink tap water, only drink bottled water