First time in Cambodia? Don’t know a word in Khmer? Not really familiar with Cambodia’s culture? This page covers what you need to know for your stay.
Common Khmer Phrases
| English | Khmer |
|---|---|
| Hello (Formal) | Chum-reap-soor |
| Hello (Informal) | Soor-s-dey |
| Thank you | Aw-koon |
| Please | Soom |
Money
ATM
The Average withdrawal fee in the Country is $5USD (on top of your bank fees). It can be less depending on your bank’s agreement with local institutions.
Currency:
US Dollars is the most used currency if you’re staying in Siem Reap. You will only get Riels (Cambodian Currency) for change for small bills (less than $10). However if you’re going to the country side for a few days, you will end up with a lot of Riels (up to 50,000 Riels bills).
There is a fixed parity between USD and Riels: $1 USD = 4,000 Riels. Be careful and make sure you get the proper change back.
Do’s & Don’ts
Do
Be prepared for personal questions: weight, age, education, income, relationship status, children. Just smile, laugh and tell them you are too shy to answer if you are asked a question that makes you uncomfortable.
Do prepare for a temple visit: Cover up shoulders & knees for visiting temples (only for women). Remove your hat and shoes. Remember that a woman should never touch a monk.
Do learn a few Khmer words and learn the Cambodian greeting, the sompiah. The locals will appreciate your efforts. It will also be easier to bargain at the market as you will prove to the local merchants that you are not a regular tourist.
Do remove your shoes before entering someone’s home.
Don’t
Don’t get angry/visibly upset. “Losing face” is one of the worst things that can happen in Cambodian culture: it brings shame on you and on the person you’re angry at.
Don’t touch the dogs. They are trained to be guards and scavengers and are often aggressive. They may have rabies and other diseases.
Don’t buy from children on the streets or give them money. Buying from children or giving them money only keeps them on the streets as most are forced by their parents to work instead of going to school. The best way to help out is to donate to reputable NGOs.
Don’t leave your chopsticks sitting vertically in your rice bowl. It is considered very rude in Cambodian culture.
Health: A Few Tips
Food: The golden rule for raw fruits and veggies is to go for those you can peel yourself. Otherwise stick with cooked food. When a place is packed with people, chances are the food is fresh.
Water & Ice: Avoid drinking tap water (ok for brushing your teeth). Avoid ice in chunks (unclean) and go for the cylindrical hollowed shaped cubes (clean).
Bug bites, dengue & malaria: Apply insect repellent every morning, late afternoon/sunset and as needed. Antimalarials can prevent malaria but not dengue. Avoid scratching bites and keep them clean to prevent infection.
Dog bites: Irrigate the wound as soon as possible, clean it, apply antibiotic ointment, then cover with a clean dressing. Consult a doctor as soon as possible — tetanus and rabies shots may be needed.
Intestinal problems: Stick with white bread toast, rice, applesauce and bananas. Keep hydrated with water and oral rehydration therapies. Consult a doctor if you have fever, bloody stools or after three days of diarrhea.
Recommended clinics/hospitals in Siem Reap:
- Medical Clinics: British Khmer Clinic, Lysreyvyna Medical Group, Naga Clinic
- Royal Angkor International Hospital, National Route 6 — owned by the Bangkok Hospital Group, high standard of care with a fully stocked pharmacy, general surgeon, and other specialists. +855 12 235-888; +855 63 761-888.
Immunization: Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, Typhoid, Yellow Fever Prescribed meds: antimalarials and traveler’s diarrhea antibiotics Over the counter: diarrhea medicine, antihistamine, motion sickness medicine, pain/fever medicine, oral rehydration salts, insect repellent.
Common Scams
Incorrect change: Convenience stores have been known to give incorrect change. Don’t hesitate to politely point out any short changing.
Street vendors and beggars: Young children may come up to you in a crowd and grab your hands, leading you to a store where they try to have you buy food/baby milk/water. Once you leave, the goods are sold back and the cash goes to an adult.
Donation-collectors for orphanages: Young adults may approach you claiming to be volunteer workers with convincing photos and a clipboard. Your donation may go directly into their pockets. Many orphanages in Cambodia are fake and exploiting children. If you wish to donate, research reputable organizations.
Baby-milk scams: A woman will beg for some milk powder, pointing to her baby. If you buy the milk, she later returns it to the shop and the money is split.
Fake monks: Monks should not touch money. If they ask for money or try to sell you something, it’s a scam.
The “sister moving to your country” scam: A local will ask where you’re from, then say their sister is moving there. They invite you to dinner to “reassure their parents.” You end up at a casino, forced to gamble, or asked for money for a “sick relative.”
Emergency Contact Numbers
- Police: 117
- Tourist Police: 012-402-424
- Fire: 118
- Ambulance: 119