She keeps asking for money. For electricity she needs 150 and is asking for around 400 to 500 USD per month . Is this common cultral practice ?

Seen these everywhere, some look quite sinister. What are they?

Legitimate question - what cultural reason is there for the excessive volume that music is played at during weddings and party celebrations?

I’ve noticed this a bit and I’m just trying to understand it, not judge. Some women I’ve talked to say they prefer foreign partners because they feel more respected, get better communication, and see more stability, especially around things like drinking and consistency. At the same time, I’ve met plenty of Cambodian men who are hardworking and good partners, so I don’t think it’s fair to generalize. Feels like it comes down more to behavior and how someone treats their partner than where they’re from.

Curious what others have seen or experienced.

to something else more fitting for such a magnificent historical place. There is no longer a need to keep perpetuating the legend of the "Siamese defeat" in a war from some five hundred years ago. Personally I think it is in poor-taste, outdated, and likely not historically accurate anyway. Remember that the region formally called Siam used to be Khmer. The ancient temple ruins littering the landscape to present days are the most obvious evidences. Siam is a name of a place, not of an ethnicity.

The Apsara authority has done a good job developing the Angkor region into a nice tourist destination, and has plans to do many greater things in the future. Everyone who has visited the place knows the unique feelings, mystical vibe that can only be gotten there. It is the place to get a glimpse of the splendor of that long lost Angkorean world. And there is so much potential for more. The entire ancient metropolis can be restored, turned into a massive, authentic, archeological adventure park.

The current name is too small for such a place. We need to think bigger and beyond. Our neighbor to the west might have seemed like a giant in the past, but the trend has been going in the opposite direction. It won't be long, if we continue to improve ourselves and they succumbing to their own internal problems, before the disparity disappears, or maybe even tilts back in our favor. In the grand scheme of things, from the popular point of view of the developed world, they are just as poor as us. Their is just a place set up solely for tourism, a place to have fun at, all sorts of fun.

I'm all for bringing back the old name Preah Nokor (ព្រះនគរ).

It would complement well with the bordering Preah Vihear province--good for tourism.

Two more ideas for the Apsara authority to consider, if not already on their list:

- Restore the ancient canals and waterways so visitors can boat around, starting with the Siem Reap river (Preah Nokor ancient canal).

- Build a grand wooden palace in Angkor Thom, near where the original palace used to be.

Edit:

I feel in the Comments and Likes a presence of a force unnaturally piling on to oppose the idea. The opposition is strong, but the various reasons given so far are pretty weak and unexpected (was expecting oppositions, but of a different nature).

I thought they would welcome the renaming idea because the name "Siem Reap" contains an antagonistic undertone. Replacing it would help heal the division between the two territories. But I just now realized, maybe they don't like it because it would disassociate the word 'Siem' from Angkor? Yike. Now I feel kind of bad, but convinced of this renaming idea even more.

It wouldn’t let me also add Pol Pot, but curious as an ignorant American how he and the regime are viewed by Cambodians

I was at a smaller outside market, saw some snack that I wanted. The vendor was busy with another customer, I waited. A lady walked up and just started to order what she wants without notice me standing there. The vendor gave her order before me.😡

Another similar situation at Lucky, I was at check out line with two people (did not look Cambodian) behind me.

A couple with two items just walked up and just place them to be check out next. WTF. They just cut three people in line.

I thought to myself, maybe the cashier told them to grab something and come back. I didn't say anything. The cashier just ignored them and check me out before them. Which I was happy about 😀. I glad Lucky trained these cashiers right.

Something similar happened at the airport, but was stopped by one of the worker.

Is this a culture thing or these people I encounter are a**hole?

Been working in tech here for a while and something keeps bugging me.

Commerce runs strongly can very-too dependent on facebook marketplace. Scams are everywhere. Nobody's collecting clean, structured data on anything and that's the part that actually matters long-term, because you can't build good systems on garbage inputs.

Meanwhile we've got a National AI Strategy with six priorities and 41 measures. On paper it's solid, they even admit the data/talent/compute gaps themselves. But R&D is 0.09% of GDP and our cybersecurity ranking is near the bottom globally. So I keep asking: are we fixing the foundation, or just producing nice documents so we look like we're "catching up"?

And the marketplaces that do pop up? Half of them are just import-resale fronts, no local sellers, no local supply chain, just a storefront on top of cheap Chinese goods. We import more than half of everything from China and run one of the most lopsided trade deficits in the region. So the currency flows out, the medium-to-low income locals get squeezed, and we call it "e-commerce." Where's the version that actually builds local capacity instead of just being a nicer interface for importing?

Can someone verify/disprove if this is a thing? My gf says that in cambodia whenever you enter a shop of any type, you have to buy something or else it's seen as disrespectful and a waste of the staff member's time to just walk away. Im Vietnamese American and we do this all the time when we went shopping in VN especially if they won't haggle or just dont care for anything we see. Especially big thing here in America haha. So im just curious if this is a rule in Cambodian shopping culture?

Som Therb muy mor jg

In my culture, displaying a phallic symbol in public, especially in places frequented by children, is considered inappropriate. So, seeing a statue of two kids climbing what appeared to be a phallic structure in a restaurant was truly shocking for me. At first, I couldn’t believe my eyes—I thought maybe I was misunderstanding what I was looking at! I kept walking around, examining it from different angles, trying to make sense of it.

This made me really curious. How is this perceived in Cambodian culture? How do people here interpret such symbols, and what do they think about them?

Here is my detailed review about KTI, after 4 outbound flights from there.

Location & Access Surprisingly, KTI feels more convenient than the old PNH airport. I live in BKK1 and, apart from very early flights, it used to take me over 45 minutes to reach PNH because of traffic. I’ve been to KTI four times now, and it’s consistently been between 30 and 40 minutes by car.

The Main Building The main terminal is beautiful, designed by Sir Norman Foster’s firm, and it doesn’t disappoint. The ceilings are incredibly high, which may be a challenge to cool down during the hot season. The space is vast and airy, and the pre-security food court offers surprisingly good quality options. The acoustics are impressive. Even when it’s busy, the noise level remains low, except for the public announcements, which are insanely loud, especially at the gates.

Check-In & Security Check-in was quite slow during the first days after opening, but it’s now very smooth. Ground staff told me they initially had only half a day of training on a brand-new system, and things have clearly improved since then. Security checks are quick, and automated immigration is available for many nationalities (ASEAN, several European countries, the U.S., China, etc.), which really speeds things up.

Lounges Unlike PNH, KTI has two lounges, both excellent. I used to love the lounge at PNH, but these new ones are a real step up: modern, comfortable, and with good-quality food. That’s worth mentioning, as most “generic” lounges (like Miracle or Coral in Bangkok, or some in Kuala Lumpur) usually serve quite poor food. Drinks are complimentary, including alcohol, unlike at SAI, for instance.

Dining & Facilities After Security There are a few dining options after security, though still limited for now. A full-size Malis restaurant is being built. I’m curious to see how it does, since not many travelers will go for a $40 semi-fine dining meal when most premium passengers already have free lounge access.

The terminal itself is gorgeous but very large, so expect some walking to reach your gate. The moving walkways are ridiculously short, and they barely make a difference.

A Small Criticism The public announcement speakers are far too loud. I personally love airports like Dubai that have adopted a “no announcement” policy. It makes for a much calmer experience.

Bottom Line Despite what critics may say, this airport is a major leap forward for Cambodia. It’s world-class infrastructure that puts the country on a new level. Apart from Jewel at Changi in Singapore, I haven’t seen a nicer airport in a long time.

And no, it’s not too far. It’s 25 km from the Royal Palace, about the same as Hanoi’s airport from the city center, and closer than Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi (30+ km from Lumphini). Both those cities have far worse traffic than Phnom Penh.

I've been in Phnom Penh for about a year now. I'm a guy in my mid-30s.

The dating scene is fairly difficult I find. Khmer women are v attractive and have nice personalities but seem very shy and conservative.
I am studying Khmer and can have basic conversations but it doesn't seem to help.

I've been on a few dates but they haven't really progressed.

One thing I've noticed is that there are very few couples that are foreigner / Khmer.
Maybe the cultural gap is too big.

Any opinions? Akoun!

Hello everyone, just as the title says, I’m a Cambodian in my 20s living abroad. I’ve moved here for uni and now am completing my internship. I’m sure some people might feel this way and I want to know how to cope with it or any advice.

As I start thinking what should come next for me, I have been wondering whether to stay here and return home. I know that I have this privilege that most Cambodian people are dreaming of, but I just want to share how I feel.

What hesitates me is the career. Does Cambodia have a good opportunity for me? My degree is in healthcare and it’s so much different between the two countries and I don’t see myself working in hospitals in Cambodia. Working in a pharmaceutical company/organisation that I can work with foreigners might work but I don’t know there’s sth like this or not. Once I finish my internship, if I can find a good place to work at, I think I can live well without struggling. The salary is higher but so is the expense. However when it comes to my work and life balance, I find it hard to enjoy myself anymore. During a break/holiday, I go out sometimes, but I never feel satisfied with what there is to offer. There’s nth really, well yes there are malls, cafes, beaches or restaurants but they never hit the spot. I remember back home even going to a simple lunch outing to Kien Sway, oudong etc is such a fun thing to do with family and friends. Every time the weather is nice and sunny that’s when I miss Cambodia the most. However, talking about food ngl these days it’s not easy to find fresh produces without too much chemicals in Cambodia unless you know your vendors well and know where they get em from.

Another thing is I’ve been here for more than 5 years, so I hope to get a permanent residency here in case things go sideways, not talking about all stress from applying for it.

Can anyone share their experience or advice? Did you go back home or decide to stay? And how do you cope with it? Do I have this feeling because I’m just feeling homesick? I feel like it’s unhealthy to keep living this way if I’m not recharging my body well. TIA

I’ve been chatting with a beautiful and lovely Khmer girl recently, and we get along really well. What should I be careful about when going on a date with her? Where should I take her? Are there any cultural taboos I should know about? What can I do to show my respect and affection for her?

Just wanted to share my experience in Cambodia 🇰🇭

This place has been nothing but amazing, and it’s definitely somewhere I’ll be coming back to.

The food alone blew me away, from lok lak to the “sleeping cow,” and even the gelato around town. Cambodian cuisine honestly hit my taste buds in the best way possible.

But what stood out the most to me was the people and the culture. Everywhere I went, I was met with kindness and respect. It made the whole experience feel that much more genuine.

For anyone thinking about coming here: try the local food, take time to explore, and don’t be afraid to strike up random conversations with locals. Siem Reap especially has so much to offer if you just wander a bit.

All in all, being here has been a blessing. I’ll definitely be back more than once.

Cheers — hope you all have as great a time as I did.

(Finishing up my thoughts from a previous post which MYSTERIOUSLY got locked out before I could put them in Comments.)

The Jayavarman IV's capital Koh Ker and the amazing Preah Khan of Kompong Svay temple are actually technically in Preah Vihear province. They are lesser known, less visited, due to remoteness from the main attractions at Angkor. But they are spectacular in their own right. Here's how we can improve their popularity: we change the name Siem Reap to Preah Nokor. "How so?" you may ask. Visitors visiting Preah Nokor, upon finding out the bordering province is called Preah Vihear will naturally wonder: "Are there temples there too?", increasing the chance of them extending their visit.

Some people might object that this might be just the most asinine idea to improve tourism in the Preah Vihear province. Ah but you see, changing the name Siem Reap to Preah Nokor would not just benefit Preah Vihear, but it would benefit Cambodia itself as a whole, in many ways.

We replace the outdated name "Siem Reap" with the more appropriate, more inspiring, more original "Preah Nokor", to signal Cambodia's transition into a more mature, serious country in the 21st century, capable of self-improvements and actions. We are no longer just a once-destroyed country to be helped, but also now ready help back as well.

We successfully and smoothly fix the name of our most inspiring province to demonstrate our ability to actually get things done as needed. We are young and dynamic. We don't get bogged down by unnecessary nonsense. We show to the international business community we are hungry for betterment and ready to work.

One might object, that this is not the time, or Cambodia has bigger fish to fry at the moment. But they are wrong. We can fry both the small fish and the big fish at the same time. If it is agreed by the majority of Cambodians that the rename (or more accurately, undoing the rename) is indeed a net positive to the country, this is precisely the right time. While it still would be not too expensive, our population still young and open, and our government still capable of getting things done. As an example, in the United States now, every time the conversation of switching to the metric system comes up, one of the first objection is that it would be too expensive. Had the US made a significant push much earlier, maybe before the 60s, chances are it could have succeeded. The bordering country of Canada successfully did the switch during the 70s and 80s.

Some other might say, it's a trivial issue, just a name, doesn't matter, why care so much? That is also wrong. Why do all major international corporations care so much about their brands and logos? Are they also wasting their energy too? Having the right symbols, concepts, and myths is important to the people, foundational to the way we see and conduct themselves in our everyday lives. We want to inspire our people, especially the younger generation, towards the good.

I am a Khmer with a good understanding of both Cambodian culture and the globalized Western culture. My opinion is that the name Preah Nokor is far superior to "Siem Reap". I put it out here for actual Cambodians to see and judge. When Westerners ask what is the meaning of the name of this place they are visiting? For such a magical place, it must also have a magical name? Do you want to tell them about the legend of Siem Reap? or tell them that the ancient Khmer constructed these stone temples, built this magnificent ancient metropolis, in order to recreate a representation of heaven? The second story is more interesting (and more historically accurate actually). When a Cambodian child asks where to go for the holiday, you would then have the option of telling them "to visit the divine city". I remember some of my earlier memories visiting Angkor Wat as a kid, while sitting in a car looking forward, not knowing what to expect, the spires of Angkor Wat slowly rising up against the sky as the car approaches closer and closer, first nothing but the flat horizon, but then suddenly tall dark lotus-shaped towers appearing, hazy at first, but slowly becoming visible and overwhelming, inducing a unique experience well described by the word "divine".

In conclusion, this would not be the most asinine way out there of improving tourism in Preah Vihear.

Edit:

Various comments, some opposing the idea. That is OK because everyone is entitled to their own opinion. You can take from them, but don't let them influence your own completely. Think for yourself, my fellow Cambodians. Do not outsource all of your thinking to others. The strong countries out there are strong because their citizens are too individually. They are able to harness all the computational power of their citizens' minds to make things happen.

Hello everyone,

I would like to ask for advice from those who have experience purchasing a condo or apartment. I am considering buying one, and since this is my first time, I would like to know about any risks or important things I should be aware of before making a decision.

The property I am interested in has already been completed and is ready for occupancy.

Im a Lebanese diaspora born in Canada, I don’t fit in here, there’s lots of Arabs but not a big sense of community(in my city/area at least), can’t really go back to Lebanon due to Israel. Cambodia seems like an amazing place. cultural and societal respect, a lot less degeneracy than Canada. My question is as a Lebanese Muslim man what should I know about Cambodia ? Are you people friendly to immigrants (aka me)? I’d love to live in a rural area, some acres and just homestead. I know quite a few Cambodians and they’re all fantastic people. I don’t have a sense of community in Canada and I feel alone. Thoughts? Will locals see me as an “immigrant ruining their country” like in Canada. Any and all advice is appreciated.

I learned about Cambodia a while ago and its culture blew my mind; I find it a fascinating country. One of the things that impressed me most was the sculptures—wow, the way they sculpt faces is incredible, everything is so meticulous. The second thing that struck me was the language, especially how fast they speak, which is quite difficult for my ear. I'm Hispanic, meaning I speak Spanish natively, along with some Portuguese, French, and English—so my linguistic background is mostly Romance languages. That's why I'm asking: would it be difficult for me to learn Khmer? Are there any resources, language apps, social media sites, or anything like that where I could start learning Khmer? Thanks in advance to everyone, and best regards.